Abdul Gani Azhari, a renowned religious scholar and former professor at Kashmir University, passed away this morning in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, following a protracted illness.
Azhari, a 101-year-old inhabitant of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir who had retired as Head of Department in the Department of Arabic at Kashmir University, was teaching at a seminary in Saharanpur and passed away this morning after suffering from illness for several months.
People across India are in grief after hearing the news of Azhari’s passing, and mourners from all walks of life are paying tribute to him. Following the announcement of his passing, condolences from politicians, social activists, and academia around the nation began to come in.
His students are among others who have posted condolences on social media, saying that he will be remembered for his contributions to Kashmiri academia and religion for a very long time. He was also referred to as a committed tribal leader who spent his entire life defending the rights of tribal communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Haseena Ayoob is a regular contributor of The Chenab Times.