Bilal Bashir Bhat
Renowned Kashmiri scholar and commentator of the Kashmiri Quran, Mirwaiz Mohammad Ahmad (1931–2024), passed away last night in Islamabad, Pakistan, following a brief illness.
Known as a towering figure of the Mirwaiz family, Mirwaiz Ahmad dedicated his life to preserving and transmitting Kashmir’s rich spiritual and literary heritage.
“It is with profound grief that we announce the passing of Mirwaiz Mohammad Ahmad, the beloved patriarch of the Mirwaiz family and son of Muhajir-e-Millat and Mufassir-e-Quran, Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah (RA),” reads a statement from Mirwaiz Manzil in Srinagar.
Mirwaiz Ahmad, following the legacy of his esteemed father, Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah (1892–1962), immortalized the Bayanul Furqan or Koshur Quran, his father’s Kashmiri translation and commentary of the Quran, through audio recordings.
His voice, which resonated daily across Kashmir through Radio Azad Kashmir, brought the Quran’s teachings closer to the hearts of Kashmiris. His broadcasts became a cherished tradition, nurturing spiritual life and fostering cultural and religious pride.
Completed in 1957, Bayanul Furqan is revered as one of Kashmiri’s most significant literary achievements. Under the leadership of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the audio recordings of the Koshur Quran were recently digitized and made accessible on platforms like YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and JioSaavn, extending the Mirwaiz family’s cultural contributions to a global audience.
The incumbent Mirwaiz, Umar Farooq, expressed his grief on social media, lamenting the tragic divisions that have long separated Kashmiri families: “A witness to Kashmir’s unfortunate history and a victim of it, today the family lost its eldest member and a dear uncle to me. Exiled with his young bride to the other side of the LOC, he spent his life yearning to return to his homeland. Once again, our family is separated in grief by artificial lines and hostile neighbors—one of many heartbreaking consequences of the man-made tragedy that is Kashmir.”
A witness to Kashmir’s unfortunate history and a victim of it, today the family lost its eldest member and a dear uncle to me, Mirwaiz Mohammad Ahmad, son of Muhajir-e-Millat Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah (RA). Exiled with him to the other side of the LOC at the young age of 17 with his… pic.twitter.com/ZJ4FQ0gYZN
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) November 3, 2024
Mirwaiz Mohammad Ahmad’s funeral was held today at Jamia Masjid, Bahria Enclave, Islamabad, attended by thousands who gathered to pay their final respects.
His absentia funeral prayer will be offered at Jama Masjid Srinagar on Monday, November 4, at 1:00 pm, allowing Kashmiris to collectively mourn a man who symbolized their spiritual heritage.
