Former Jamat MLA and noted Islamic scholar dies in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 29 (UNI) Former legislator and noted Islamic scholar and founder member of Jammu and Kashmir Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Qari Saifuddin passed away here yesterday.

He was 88 and is survived by his three sons and three daughters.

Born on January 1, 1920 in north Kashmir, Qari was appointed as a government teacher in 1945 after completing his degree from Punjab University, Lahore.

However, he resigned the job and joined JeI in 1957.

Qari was jailed several times for his opposition against the government's anti-people policies.

He won from Khanyar constituency in 1972 on JeI ticket. However, he retired as Naib-e-Amir of JeI in 1992.

A large number of people, including Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, participated in the Nimaz Jinazah of Qari and he was laid to rest at Rawalpora.

Several religious and social political parties have condoled the death of Qari Saifuddin.

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