Amani Liaquat, whose battle with brain cancer has inspired so many on social media, has sadly passed away at the age of 23.
The tragic news was announced on Twitter by her father, Khuram, who said she passed away in the early hours of Monday morning.
“Our beautiful daughter Amani breathed her last this morning at 12.30am. She fought GBM4 (grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme) for 22 months but alas without proper investment, she had no chance. She’s my hero and was the most amazing ambassador for Brain Tumour Research. Love you forever Amani!”
Khuram also posted a message on his daughter’s Twitter page, where she kept followers updated on her fight against the disease as well as her campaigning work.
“This is Amani’s dad just letting all Amanis lovely followers that my daughter has gone to heaven today Inshallah. I’m not an expert in Twitter but could not think of another way to tell you all. I feel you deserve this much as if your Amani’s family you’re my family.”
Amani, from Luton, was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) after suffering a seizure at home on her 22nd birthday in April 2020.
Tributes have poured in on social media following the tragic news.
“Trying to find words. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. Our beautiful young sister @_axmani has passed on to the next realm, and her incredible parents Br. Khuram and Sr. Yasmin remain behind as well as her siblings Ruqayyah and Maleehah. It’s been so painful for all of them,” tweeted Imam Omar Suleiman.
“Amani wanted to teach people how to live, and how to die. I will never forget this segment she asked me to do with her despite barely being able to fight through the recording because of the immense pain she was in.
“May Allah have mercy on Amani and grant her the full status of a martyr, and may her parents find her waiting for them at the gates of paradise and amongst the righteous souls. May he replace all of their pain with reward. Ameen,” he added in his tweet thread.
Fundraising and campaigning activities
Amani was a much-loved supporter of Brain Tumour Research and undertook numerous fundraising and campaigning activities, including setting up the Fight4Hope fundraising group where donations have been flooding in since the sad news was announced.
Brain Tumour Research said her candid Chat2Amani podcasts saw thousands of people tune in to follow her brain tumour journey. She explored issues such as loneliness and faith and, in one episode, interviewed Tom Parker, The Wanted singer and fellow GBM patient.
“This tragic news has had a huge impact on those of us at Brain Tumour Research who had the privilege to know Amani and her extraordinary family,” said Hugh Adams, Head of Stakeholder Relations at Brain Tumour Research.
“Amani’s story touched everyone who heard it, and that she was prepared to share so much of herself with others speaks volumes of the person she was.
“We cannot overstate just how many people now know about this vicious disease through Amani’s bravery and her commitment to make a difference by campaigning and raising awareness.
“Her legacy will be with us and drive us on to find a cure for brain tumours.”
Amani, a first class honours law graduate, was just last week awarded a Masters degree in Applied Social Welfare with Distinction from the University of Bedfordshire.
You can read more about Amani’s story here
You can also donate to Amani’s Fight4Hope JustGiving page
Image source: Image of Amani from Brain Tumour Research
