KARACHI: Prominent religious scholar Allama Zamir Akhtar Naqvi passed away here on Sunday. He was 76.

According to relatives, he suffered a heart attack late on Saturday night and was taken to a private hospital where he breathed his last.

Allama Naqvi was born in 1944 in the Indian city of Lucknow where he did his graduation before migrating to Karachi in 1967. He had a PhD degree from University of Karachi and was known to have knowledge of science, philosophy, literature, culture, journalism and Islamic history.

He also remained editor of Al-Kalam magazine and headed Anees Academy. He had written 28 books on different subjects, including Urdu literature and the events of Karbala.

Allama Naqvi’s funeral prayers were held at Imam­bargah Shuhada-i-Karbala in Ancholi. He was laid to rest at Wadi-i-Husain graveyard off Super­high­way.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed profound grief over the sudden demise of Allama Naqvi and said the latter had worked for sectarian harmony. He prayed that may Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the grieving family to bear this irreparable loss.

Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen leader Allama Baqar Abbas Zaidi said that with the demise of Allama Naqvi, the nation was deprived of a prominent religious scholar who had assumed distinction. His writings were outcome of thorough research and his academic pursuits would always be remembered, he added.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2020