Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, an Islamic scholar who requested Muslims to relinquish claim over Babri Masjid, died of Covid-19 complications Thursday night in Delhi.
He was 97.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of the scholar. He tweeted, “Saddened by the passing away of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. He will be remembered for his insightful knowledge on matters of theology and spirituality. He was also passionate about community service and social empowerment. Condolences to his family and countless well-wishers. RIP.”
The Modi government had conferred on him the second highest civilian honour of the country, Padma Vibhushan, this year.
The Sarkaryavah of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Shri Dattatreya Hosabole, paid his tributes to the Islamic scholar. He tweeted, “The nation has lost a genuine Islamic scholar in the passing away of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, who always promoted goodwill and harmony through properly interpreting the religion. RSS expresses its deep condolence on his demise.”
Born in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Maulamna wrote over 200 books and toured around the globe to discuss the Islamic issues.
He started his own venture, Al Risala, in 1976 to discuss and debate the concepts of Islamic theology.
He supported the Places of Worship Act, 1991, arguing after Babri, Hindu leaders associated with temple movements should assure the Muslim community that no such demnd would be raised anymore.
The Places of Worship Act, 1991, passed by the P V Narasimha Rao government, asks the status quo to be maintained as on August 15, 1947. It also prohibits the Hindu community from moving to court about any Mandir-Masjid dispute.
