Obituary of Imtithal Hamdullah Almunayyir

Imtithal Hamdullah Almunayyir, 89, of Coralville, Iowa died Saturday, April 28, 2018 with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren by her side.

Imtithal Hamdullah Almunayyir was born October 22, 1928 in the al-Manshyyah neighborhood of  Jaffa, Palestine, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. She was the daughter of Hamdullah Almunayyir and Nahid Sakkijha; she married Mahmoud Yaqub in 1943 in Jaffa, Palestine and they had eight children.

Imtithal, known as Mama and Teta, was the matriarch of her family. She survived several wars and the loss of her homes and homeland. She raised her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with tremendous love and courage. Through her family’s many displacements, Imtithal was determined to support them through an unwavering focus to their wellbeing. Her dedication to her family was often expressed lovingly through her hands; she spent countless hours cooking in her kitchen, sitting over her sewing machine or knitting them sweaters and scarves. These labors of love were beautiful and comforting, but also provided the continuity of tradition and culture, ensuring her family always felt at home no matter where they lived. In spite of her tiny frame and soft spoken tenor, Imtithal was a proud, independent woman who loved to laugh and celebrate life. Her faith in Islam was at the core of who she was. She loved completely. She was completely loved.

Imtithal Hamdullah Almunayyir had eight children and is survived by her children, Basma Yacubi, Maha Cantello, Nisreen Yaqoub, Abdullah Yaqub, Aladdin Yaqub, Intesar Duncan and Nagham Al-Yaqoubi; twenty two grandchildren and twenty eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and five brothers, her husband Mahmoud, and her daughter Sana’.

The Fatihah condolence service will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 6:30 pm at the Mother Mosque of America, 1335 9th St NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52495. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Imtithal’s name to the Mother Mosque of Cedar Rapids.