JEDDAH — Thousands of people on Wednesday attended the last rites of Hafiz Abdullah Qureshi Al-Azhari, deputy vice chancellor of Jamia Nizamia and imam and khateeb of Makkah Masjid, who breathed his last in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad on Tuesday morning. Reports reaching here said, funeral prayers were performed at the historic Makkah Masjid and the burial took place at Naqshabandi Chaman Misri Gunj. Born on Sept. 19, 1935, Al-Azhari came to Hyderabad from Dundigal and had initial studies of Qur'an recitation in Makkah Masjid itself. He did his matriculation from Aligarh Muslim University and then graduated from Osmania University and completed Fazil's degree (Master's degree in Islamic Literature) from Jamia Nizamia. He did his M.Phil by research on "Dawatul Islamia Al Ma'aasirah Fil Hind". He was sent by the government to Al-Azhar in Egypt in 1964 where he completed his higher education ‘Shahadatul Aliya' and ‘Shahadatut Taqassus' (Professional reciter course). He stayed in Egypt for 8 years and also learned Qirat from Sheikh Ibrahim Awad. He memorized the Holy Quran at the age of just 12and started leading the Taraweeh prayers at Masjid-e-Amina (Abids, Hyderabad) in May 2012. Maulana Mohammed Naveed Afroze Naveed, president Old Boys Association Alumni Jamia Nizamia, said: "We have lost a renowned Islamic scholar. In fact we have lost a man of humanity. No one in India could speak Arabic like him. He was very simple and loving person with kind nature." Syed Khaja Viqaruddin, trustee Khak E Taiba Trust and president Twin Cities Youth Welfare Association, said: "Qari Al-Azhari's death has shocked me beyond words. He was bestowed with inborn qualities and was simple in nature. Despite his illness and advancing age, he was very much active in dawah work. I have heard him reciting the Holy Qur'an that was something exceptional; not only Muslims but the believers of other faith were also impressed." Aijaz Ahmed Khan, president India Forum and Jeddah Cricket Association, said: "Qari Al-Azhari was one of the most valuable scholars, teacher and a valuable contributor in the field of Qirat. His efforts will be remembered for years to come. He was an inspirational spiritual personality of not only Hyderabad but other parts of India." Mohd. Khaleequr Rahman, AICC, national coordinator said: "We have lost a renowned Islamic scholar. He was a soft-spoken and kind-hearted person and I feel I have lost a fatherly figure. In his death, we have lost a great scholar, guide, leader and a pious Muslim." Jamal Qadri, president Urdu Academy, said: "Al-Azhari's death has left a big vacuum in the circle of eminent Islamic scholars." Arif Qureshi, president Bazme Osmania said , I felt shock and sad on hearing the demise of my teacher. He was very kind-hearted person. He has also taught me the Holy Quran. I feel that one more gate for the grand Makkah Masjid in Hyderabad has been closed." Maulana Abdul Salam, vice president of Jamia Nizamia Alumni association Jeddah, Shameem Kausar, chief patron and trustee Khak E Taiba Trust, Dr. Sayeed Ali Mahmoud, chief patron Bazm E Ittehad, Yousufuddin Amjad, spokesperson Bazm E Ittehad Jeddah, Abdul Rahman Saleem, president Hindustani Bazme Urdu, Mohammed Abdur Raoof Ateeq, projects manager, Equestrian Club Riyadh; Mohammed Farooqui Shahbaz; Mohammed Rafeeq, vice president Bazm E Ittehad Riyadh and AIUS; Abdulaziz Sahmim Khan, chairman, Deccan Culture Association; Dr. Mohammed Ashraf Ali, president AIUS; Syed Akram Mohiuddin, president, NRIF; and Sultan Mazharuddin, member Managining Committee at IISR; also condoled Al-Azhari's death describing it as a great loss for the Islamic world. They all prayed that Allah Almighty bestows His choicest blessings on the departed soul. — With inputs from Abdul Rahman M. Baig and Mir Mohsin Ali
