Mohammed said Aziz, a software engineer, was a leading member of the Dawah team for the Masjid At Taqwa mosque on Grayson Ave in Manukau.
The Dawah team is a dedicated group that goes out into the community to invite and promote the message of Islam to non-Muslims. He often took his young children along.
"People know him because he always had his kids around him,'' Mohammed said.
"Whether he was in the mosque, in the park or doing Dawah in the street - he always had his children with him. He was very soft and very humble.''
It is understood Aziz and his family were camping at the regional park at the time of the incident.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 12.40pm on Sunday after reports three people were seen struggling in the water.
Mohammed thanked all those who helped at the time and those who had continued to offer the family - including Aziz's elderly parents - encouragement and support.
"We've had so much support from everyone - from the minute that the [incident] happened.
"The members of the public who were on the beach and those on the camp grounds who responded first. Then we had the emergency response and the police, ambulance and the hospital staff who were very supportive to the kids who ended up in the hospital for a few hours.
"Members of the community, the immediate and extended family - we have received enormous support from everyone."
Mohammed said Aziz was very much missed within their family as well as among their friends and community at the local mosque.
"One of our duties is to convey the message of Islam and he was very active in that. We miss him.''
Aziz was farewelled at a service yesterday. His death has been referred to the Coroner.
