Bashir-ud-din Farooqi
Former Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir
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Mufti Bashir-ud-din Farooqi (also known as Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad) (1934 – 12 February 2019) was an Indian Muslim scholar and jurist who served as Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir from 1960 to 2012.
Mufti-e-Azam Bashir-ud-din Farooqi | |
|---|---|
| Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir. | |
| In office 1960 – 8 July 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Sheikh ul Islam Mufti Azam Qawam-ud-Din |
| Succeeded by | Nasir ul Islam |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1934 |
| Died | 12 February 2019 (aged 84–85) |
| Aligarh Muslim University | |
Biography
Farooqi was born in 1934 and acquired his primary education in Srinagar.[1] He received an LLB and masters degree in Arabic from Aligarh Muslim University.[2] In 1960, he succeeded his father, Sheikh-ul-Islam Mufti Mohammad Qawam-ud-Din as the grand mufti of Jammu and Kashmir.[1]
Mufti Bashir-ud-Din served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Islamic Shariat (Central Dar ul Fatwa), which operated as a parallel judicial system for over three decades.[3]
In 2007, the Mufti criticized British government, when it addressed Salman Rushdie with the title of "Sir." The mufti said that Rushdie was an apostate and this title was part of a broader conspiracy against Islam.[4] In 2013, he faced a severe backlash after he issued a fatwa against all-girl rock bands in Kashmir. The Mufti had asked girls to stay away from music, and regarded it as impermissible.[5][6]
Farooqi had nominated his son Nasir ul Islam for the position on 8 July 2012 who succeeded him as the Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir.[7][1]
He died on 12 February 2019. His death was condoled by Satya Pal Malik, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.[1]