Saleem Barkat Obituary (1950 - 2021)

Saleem Barkat, a beloved husband, father, brother, cousin, chachu, mamu, and friend, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He was born in Sialkot, Pakistan on September 5, 1950, to Barkat Masih and Sardar Barkat. After he attended Christian Training Institute High School, he graduated from Forman Christian College in 1973 with a BSc degree. He moved to the United States in 1978 and graduated from Rider University with a MBA degree in 1982. He married Lubna Rafiq on March 23, 1999 in Lahore, Pakistan. He worked as a financial specialist in Wachovia Bank, now known as Wells Fargo. On July 15, 2001 they welcomed their daughter Neha Barkat into the world. In 2005, he started his own mortgage company called Brightland Mortgage Company. In addition, he was also the owner and chairman of his NGO in Pakistan and the United States called Living Hope Worldwide which he started in 2007. God blessed Saleem with 70 productive years during which he devoted his time to learning, loving and teaching the Word of God. In spite of his physical challenges, he believed in turning disability into possibility and he enjoyed his life to the fullest.