Al Haqeeqa
In January this year, he was honoured by the Governor of Madhya for his services to the nation
Pervez Bari | Clarion India
BHOPAL – Leading Islamic scholar and freedom fighter Mufti Abd-ur-Razzaq Khan breathed his last after a prolonged illness here on Wednesday. The 96-year-old Mufti was also the national vice president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Maulana Arshad Madani faction).
He was laid to rest on Thursday with state honours. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh and his two predecessors Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh condoled his death.
In view of corona-related lockdown restrictions on big gatherings, the state government took measures to prevent massive turnout of people. Mufti Abd-ur-Razzaq was a popular figure among all sections of society. Only family members and limited people were allowed to attend the funeral.
Heavy police force was deployed at all the prime squares and areas including Tarjama Wali Mosque, Iqbal Maidan, Peer Gate, Bhopal Talkies, Nadra bus stand, Alpana Talkies, Sangam Talkies, Moti Masjid, Ret Ghat, Kamla Park and adjoining areas. In addition to barricading all the routes to old Bhopal, the old city area was guarded by an additional force of 700 policemen. The routes connecting Bhopal from borders and the roads towards old city areas remained closed.
Mufti Abd-ur-Razzaq had authored more than 50 books including Sarzamīn-e-Hind: Ambiyā Kirām aur Islām; Qur’ān Mai Kya Hai, Āzādi; Aslāf aur Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind; Islāmi Zindagi: Paidā’ish se Jannat Tak; Ahle Qur’ān aur Ahle Kitāb, etc.
He had actively participated in the freedom struggle. In January this year, he was honoured by the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, for his services to the nation. He was also known for organizing meetings for inter-faith dialogue. Besides, he ran one of the oldest Gaushalas on the outskirts of the city. In 2016, he had strongly denounced the RSS, VHP and Bajrng Dal and asked the government to stop them from polarising the society along communal lines.
