With a believing, accepting heart, the International Union of Muslim Scholars received the news of the departure of esteemed sheikh Prof. Ghafoor Ahmed, Deputy Emir of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) in Pakistan, who was laid to rest last Wednesday at the age of 85 after two years of struggle with illness. The departed sheikh – may Allah bless his soul - was a phenomenal example of giving, integrity and sincerity who held key positions in the JI and different political groupings as he was the secretary general of most of the coalitions established during the period of his work and activity. He was delegated to negotiate with the former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto following a large-scale public movement that eventually toppled his government. Sheikh Ghafoor was also selected as minister of production in the first months of the government of former president Zia-ul-Haq.
As the IUMS bears the distressing news of the loss of the esteemed sheikh Ghafoor Ahmed to the Muslim nation, it prays to Allah to receive him with His abundant mercy, forgiveness, grant him the best reward for his deeds, to disembark him in a dignified dwelling, provide him with a spacious abode, make him a resident of Paradise, and resurrect him with the prophets, truthful believers, martyrs, and good men, and to give his family, people who love him, his colleagues, and the followers of the JI the patience and solace, for Allah is the Best Guardian and the Best Answerer to our prayers.
Doha: 17 Safar, 1434 of Hijra
Dated: 30 December, 2012
Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
IUMS Secretary General IUMS President