We were shocked and grieved to know about the passing away of Prof. Muhammad Abdul Haq Ansari, (Arab News, Oct. 4), the former president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and an Islamic scholar of international repute. It was a sad news for the Indian community residing in Saudi Arabia. In my opinion there are only a few Islamic scholars of this caliber and reputation living in India and Pakistan. Ansari was a man of great talent and a nice person who was loved and respected by a large number of his companions and admirers.
Prof. Ansari rendered his services as professor and Head of the Department of Arabic, Persian and Islamic Studies, Vishwa Bharati University, Shantiniketan, West Bengal from 1965 to 1978, then at Department of Islamic Studies, Sudan University from 1978 to 1981, at Dhahran University from 1982 to 1985 and at Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1985 to 1995. Prof. Ansari joined the Jamaat at the very early stage of his academic career. He was elected to Jamaat’s Central Council of Representatives and Central Advisory Council for many terms. He was the organization’s president from 2003 to 2007 and director of Islami Academy since 2005.
Apart from being author of many books, Professor Ansari had many other qualities. He was highly qualified, soft-spoken and a very competent person. His death is a great loss for the Ummah particularly for the Indian community. His valuable services will be remembered for a long time. We pray to Allah (SWT) to forgive his sins and grant mercy and shower His blessings upon him and place his soul in Paradise. — Zakaria Sultan, Riyadh

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