Srinagar, Feb 12: Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Bashir-ud-din Ahmad Farooqui died at a hospital in Srinagar on Tuesday.
Ahmad was 82. He was hospitalised on Monday evening after he complained of chest pain, the family of the Grand Mufti said.
They said he breathed his last at the hospital at around 3 am.
Ahmad was the Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir for over three decades. He got a Masters’ degree in Arabic and a law degree from Aligarh Muslim University before pursuing religious education.
The funeral prayers for the Grand Mufti were held in the afternoon at Khanqah-e-Mo’ualla in the old city.
Ahmad’s son, Mufti Nasir-ul Islam, is likely to succeed his father as the Grand Mufti of the state.
The death was widely mourned with many noted politicians, religious leaders and civil society members sending condolence messages.
Governor Satya Pal Malik expressed grief over the demise of the Grand Mufti.
In his message Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family in its hour of grief.
Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed sorrow and heartfelt condolence over the demise, stating that people of Kashmir will always remember his service in the field of Islamic jurisprudence and his contribution in social and political sphere of the valley.
In his message of condolence, to the Mufti family, he said that late Mufti Sahib shared a close bond with Mirwaiz family.
Mirwaiz Umar said that the Grand Mufti infused a new energy in two important institutions—Darul Iftah and Darul Qaza and had always been on the fore front to serve the people through these institutions to the best of his capability. With the death of Grand Mufti, an era has ended he said.
Terming the death of Grand Mufti as a personal loss, Mirwaiz said that the late Mufti has had close relations with the founder of Awami Action Committee Shaheed-e-Milat Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Soon after coming to know about the death of Grand Mufti, Mirwaiz visited the family of deceased to express solidarity and sympathy with the bereaved family especially his son Mufti Nasirul Islam, who he said should carry his father’s work forward.
Mirwaiz also offered special Fateh prayers for the deceased and prayed for the highest standards in the paradise for the departed soul. Mirwaiz also participated in the funeral prayers at Khanqah-e-Moulla.
Meanwhile, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah too expressed grief over the demise of Grand Mufti.
Farooq while expressing grief said: “Kashmir has lost a towering personality, who had carved a space for himself in the scholarly corridors of Kashmir. His scholarly attainments and penchant for Islamic learning will be remembered for the times to come. I pray for peace to the soul of departed and strength to the grief-stricken family to bear the loss.”
“May Allah grant heaven to Mufti Bashir-ud-Din. My condolences to the family at this time of great personal loss,” National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said in his condolence message.
Omar also participated in the funeral prayers of the deceased.
“Sad to learn about passing away of Mufti Bashiruddin saheb. In him Kashmir lost a respected religious scholar and thought leader… Stand in solidarity with the family and followers of Mufti saheb,” PDP president Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
Advisor Ganai who is also the chairman of the Muslim Wakf Board expressed grief over the demise of Mufti Azam.
He said that he had developed a warm personal relationship with Mufti Azam over the years since his posting as Divisional Commissioner Kashmir in 1998 and often consulted him to get his valued advice. Ganai said that he had great regard for Mufti Azam for his qualities, knowledge and wisdom.
Describing the demise of Mufti Azam as an irreparable loss to the Kashmir society and in fact the whole state, Advisor expressed deep sympathies with the family and followers of Mufti Azam and prayed for place for his soul in Jannat ul Firdous. The Advisor also prayed for strength to the bereaved family and admirers of the late Mufti Azam.
