Srinagar, Aug 5 (GNS): Noted Kashmiri scholar Agha Ashraf Ali passed away late last night at his residence in Srinagar.
As per a family statement, Agha Ashraf breathed his last at 11:45 pm at his Rajbagh residence. There will be no congregational Fatiha/gatherings due to prevailing circumstances in the valley, the statement said. People have been requested to offer Fatiha individually and offer condolences to the family members through social media.
Agha Ashraf, who tirelessly worked for the education of the people of Kashmir for decades, breathed his last at 11:45 pm Friday night.
Born on 18 October 1922 in Khanqah-e-Sokhta, Nawa Kadal in Downtown Srinagar, Agha Ashraf grew up in upper-class feudal household with a rich legacy of excellence. His mother Begum Zafar Ali, herself an educationist and legislator, was the first female matriculate of Kashmir.
Agha was widely known as a public speaker. He spoke widely on history, education, culture and contemporary politics. Agha was an ardent advocate of human rights of Kashmiris.
In December 1951 when Sheikh M. Abdullah appointed him as the inspector of schools, the young foreign educated Aga Ashraf started to overhaul the education sector right from the day one.
Farooq, Others Condole Demise
‘Light has gone out of our lives, a great loss for entire society’
Srinagar, Aug 08: National Conference President and member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah, party’s Vice President Omar Abdullah and CPI (M) leader expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Kashmir’s noted iconic educationist and one of the foremost intellectuals Aga Ashraf Ali
“The light has gone out of our lives, Aga Sahib’s demise is a great loss for the entire society, such great souls are rarely born,” said Party President while expressing grief over the demise of the great son of soil Aga Ashraf Ali. “One of the most distinguished scholars, who was endeared and revered by all. A renaissance figure of Kashmir, his philosophy of life was firmly grounded in the progressive philosophy of humanism and secularism. A polymath, he authored many books and many lucky ones had the honor of having him as their teacher. He was an institution in himself and guided generations. He was spotted by Sher-e-Kashmir, when he had returned from abroad after completing studies there. He got appointed as Inspector of schools. Later he served in various key positions including Principal of teachers training college and other important positions. His contribution towards education, his life and works will continue to guide millions in the coming decades also. I pay my earnest homage to Aga Sahib, and pray to Almighty to grant him the highest stations in Jannah. I express my unison with the entire Aga family, scores of his admirers in their hour of grief. May the deceased have eternal repose in paradise,” he said.
A great educationist , an outstanding academician, Aga Sahib’s demise has created a great vacuum in the field of education, Party Vice President said while expressing grief over the demise of Aga Ashraf Ali. “Widely remembered for his wit, inspiring lectures, his contribution to the field of education will be written in golden letters in the annals of history. I pay my earnest homage to him. I pray for peace to his soul and fortitude to the bereaved family of his in their hour of grief. I express my solidarity with the thousands of admirers, students of his in their hour of grief. I pray to Almighty to grant him the highest echelons in Jannah,” he said.
Party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, Members of parliament Mohammad Akbar Lone, Hasnain Masoodi and party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar have also expressed grief over the demise of Aga Sahib, and prayed for peace to his soul, strength to the bereaved family.
While terming the death of Dr Agha Ashraf Ali as a great loss to the society, CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami Saturday said late Agha sahib was a progressive mind who always believed in pluralistic values.
The contributions of Agha sahib, one of the foremost intellectuals of Kashmir, are immense and his death is an irreparable loss to the society. He always believed in composite pluralistic culture.
He tirelessly worked for the education of the people of Kashmir and was widely known as a public speaker. In his death Kashmir has lost a compassionate man of great conviction.
While expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, he said that Agha sahib’s death has created a void which is very difficult to be filled.(GNS)
