New Delhi: Renowned Indian Islamic scholar and peace activist Maulana Wahiduddin Khan breathed his last on Wednesday evening, foreign media reports.
The publication reported that the religious scholar had contracted coronavirus, last week, and was being treated at the Apollo Hospital Sarita Vihar in the Indian capital New Delhi.
The scholar’s son Zafarul Islam Khan took to Twitter to share the sad news about his father’s demise.
“The great Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan breathed his last, late this evening. Doctors failed to revive his sinking heart. Pray for his maghfirat and high station in Paradise. Amin,” wrote the former Chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission.
The maulana was a recipient of the Demiurgus Peace International Award, that is given under the patronage of former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
He was also given India’s third-highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in January 2000.
The National Citizens’ Award, presented by Mother Teresa and the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award (2009) were also presented to him. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in January of this year.
The 96-year-old was widely respected for his commentary of the Quran, and held enlightened views on much-debated subjects such as women’s rights, instant triple Talaq, Jehad, terrorism and family planning. AFP
