Srinagar,,25-Oct: Veteran Kashmiri leader and Founder and chairman of Ittihadul Musilmeen, Maulana Muhammad Abbas Ansari passed away after protracted illness here this morning.Maulana was not keeping well since long and over the couple of days his health deteriorated and breathed his last at his residence in Khankhai Sokhta Nawakadal.In 1987 Abbas became founding convenor of Muslim United Front ( MUF) which changed the political landscape of Kashmir.After his release from prison, he co founded All Parties Hurriyat Conference. He led several rounds of talks with New Delhi during Atal Behari Vajpayee era as he was a strong proponent of peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute. Abbas virtually retired from active political life and was mostly engrossed in spiritual pursuits.Molvi Abbas has penned scores of books on spiritual aspects of Islam.His autography penned during his jail stay titled“ Khare Gulistan” meaning thorn of garden was released in 2018.A large number of people joined the funeral prayers of the well known leader which were held at Alamgari Bazar Srinagar. He was laid to rest at Gulistan-e-Baba Mazar, Srinagar at noon time.The deceased has left behind three daughters and two sons Nasir Ansari and Maulana Masroor Ansari. He was Father in law of Syed Gazanfar Ali, Abrar Hussain and senior journalist Sajjad Haider.Notably, Ansari was admitted in SKIMS Soura recently as he was not keeping well since long. National Conference president and MP Dr Farooq Abdullah and Apni Party president, Mohammad Altaf Bukhari visited him to enquire about his health.Meanwhile, Former CM and PDP Chief, Mehbooba Mufti condoled the demise of Maulana Abbas Ansari. Mehbooba Mufti said, ‘Maulana Abbas Ansari lived a life dedicated to peace and Islam. He was a strong supporter of unity. He led a pious and humble life. He has left behind a rich legacy etched in the hearts and minds of the people of Kashmir. May God bless him.’Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari expressed deep shock and grief over the demise of the renowned politico-religious leader and scholar Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari.In a joint condolence message issued here, the Apni Party leaders prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. They also extended solidarity with the bereaved family, friends, relatives and associates of Maulana and prayed for endurance to all of them to face this difficult time.Awami National Conference President Begum Khalid Shah and senior vice president Muzaffar Shah said, “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of Molvi Abbas Ansari Sahib. Today, we have lost a great religious leader who spent his entire life serving people and contributing to society. He was a reformist and contributed to the education sector as well.Former Union Minister, Prof. Saifuddin Soz while terming Maulana Abbas Ansari’s Demise a Great Loss to the J&K added that Maulana’s Voice Was Always Meant For Conciliation And Reconciliation.“I say it, today, with a certain level of relief in my mind that I had become instrumental in Hurriyat’s meeting with the then Prime Minister. I can safely say it for record that Maunala Abbas and Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat were the two Hurriyat leaders who always thought that Kashmir imbroglio could be sorted out through dialogue and discussion. These leaders were also concerned about the death and destruction in Kashmir and sought a peaceful solution”,Soz added.Former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Ghulam Ahmad Mir also expressed profound grief over the passing away of veteran Shia Leader & Islamic Scholar Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari.In his condolence message, Ghulam Ahmad Mir paid rich tributes to Maulana, terming the deceased an institution unto himself, a moderate and intellectual personality, who had a great knowledge on Islam Teachings & Socio-Political scenario of J&K.
