‘I Learned A Lot From Him’: Remembering Student Shohrukh Kholov

Campus Ministry announced the Feb. 25 death of second-year graduate student Shohrukh Kholov, 24, in a March 26 email to the Loyola community.  

The Tajik Community of Chicago organized a fundraiser for Kholov’s family which raised over $15,000 and helped him to be buried in his hometown of Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The Tajik Community of Chicago didn’t respond to The Phoenix’s requests for comment. 

Hishamuddin Mohammed, a second-year graduate student studying information technology said the first word he would use to describe his good friend Kholov would be “joyful.” 

“He was always thinking about the future, about his family and about staying in the U.S.,” Mohammed said. “He was a really friendly guy.”

Mohammed said he recalls many fond memories with Kholov, who was studying computer science, as they took multiple courses together and lived close to each other. Whether it was going to masjids together to pray or commuting to classes, Mohammed said they always had a good time together. 

More than anything, Mohammed said a lasting memory of Kholov was his pursuit of knowledge. Mohammed said he admired and took inspiration from Kholov’s outlook on life to constantly be striving for more. 

“He was someone who had a lot of knowledge and experience so I thought, ‘He will get a job easy,’” Mohammed said. “He had a good vision towards life and his goals.” 

Second-year graduate student Mohammed Makki, who was a friend of Kholov and a fellow computer science student, said he will remember Kholov fondly as a pure person who only wished good upon others. Makki said he recalls his last conversation with Kholov where he enthusiastically discussed his future. 

“The last time I interacted with him, he really wanted to get into entrepreneurship and start his own company,” Makki said. “That was another shock — he was so forward-looking.” 

Mohammed said he and Kholov were expected to graduate together this spring. Last semester, Kholov informed Mohammed he was temporarily transferring to another university to take a course not offered at Loyola. 

“I was like, ‘Why did you do that man?’” Mohammed said. “He said, ‘No worries bro, I’ll come back. Let’s graduate together.’” 

Mohammed said he texted Kholov March 4 to catch up and ask him questions about graduation. He then received a text back from Kholov’s brother saying he’d died in a car accident. 

Many of Kholov’s friends were unaware he died in February and didn’t find out until March. After Mohammed received word of Kholov’s death, he passed the message along to more of Kholov’s friends.  

Rehonoma Hasan Jahin, a third-year computer science major, said she knew Kholov best for his outgoing, sometimes childish nature and his open-mindedness.   

“He was kind hearted and always open to know more and share his knowledge with his friends,” Jahin said. “I learned a lot from him.” 

After meeting Kholov at a Muslim Student’s Association event last year, Jahin said his devotion and knowledge for religion was admirable, especially as he taught those around him. 

“From all of our friends, we are deeply regretting that we couldn’t have our last moments with him,” Jahin said. “We’re sorry for him and we miss him.”  

Featured image courtesy of Hishamuddin Mohammed