HYDERABAD: Maulana Abdullah Qureshi Al Azhari, Khateeb of Makkah Masjid, who passed away here on Tuesday was an outstanding Islamic scholar. For more than half a century he cast a mesmeric spell on Hyderabadis with his unique recital of the holy Quran. He has been the Khateeb of Makkah Masjid for the last 25 years. The 80-year old-Maulana leaves behind a spiritual void.While hundreds flocked to the magnificent Makkah Masjid to see its architectural splendour, many more went there to listen to the Quran rendered by Al Azhari. Even at this advanced age he did not lose zest for reciting the Quran. No wonder many peeople made it a point to offer the Friday prayers at the mosque just to listen to his qirat. During the month of Ramzan a large number of Muslims chose to offer the nocturnal Taraweeh prayers behind him. He used to recite three chapters of the Quran. But of late due to his ill health he had stopped leading the prayers.Al Azhari also served as the deputy vice-chancellor of Jamia Nizamia, the renowned Islamic university in the Old City. He memorised the Quran at the age of 12 and mastered the art of its recital from AlAzhar University, Egypt, where he completed Shahadatul Aliya and Shahdatut Taqassus. After his return in 1973, Prince Mukkarram Jah Bahadur was so impressed by his Qirat that he set up an institute for teaching tajweed with Moulana Qureshi as its head. In May 2012, he was felicitated on completion of 50 years of service to the Quran. Interestingly, Al Azhari was the only Khateeb in Hyderabad to render the Friday sermons in Arabic. And they were knownfor their versatility and topicality. “As long as I have strength I will discharge my duties,” he used to say. His father, Mohd Abdul Raheem, was also an Imam at the Makkah Masjid.The aging scholar has no children of his own, but was always surrounded by a legion of students whom he considered his spiritual progeny. The Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayers) will be held onWednesday afternoon at Makkah Masjid.
Obituary
Many people made it a point to offer the Friday prayers at the mosque just to listen to his qirat