Srinagar– Veteran Kashmiri leader Maulana Muhammad Abbas Ansari passed away after protracted illness here this morning.
Maulana breathed his last at his residence in Khankhai Sokhta Nawakadal family sources said.
Popularly known as Molvi Abbas, he was the last surviving politician of Plebiscite Front era.
An alumni of famous Najaf seminary Maulana Abbas founded Anjuman-e- Ittehadul Muslimeen after his return from decade long stay in Iraq in 1962. Molvi Abbas spent years behind bars for his relentless struggle for rights of Kashmiri people.
In 1987 Abbas became founding convenor of Muslim United Front ( MUF) which changed the political landscape of Kashmir.
After his release from prison he co founded All Parties Hurriyat Conference. He led several rounds of talks with New Delhi during Atal Behari Vajpayee era as he was a strong proponent of peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute. However his differences with Pakistan’s approach later led to his ouster from the multiparty combine.
Abbas virtually retired from active political life and was mostly engrossed in spiritual pursuits.
Molvi Abbas has penned scores of books on spiritual aspects of Islam.
His autobiography penned during his jail stay titled “ Khare Gulistan” meaning thorn of garden was released in 2018.
Molvi Abbas will be laid to rest in the afternoon, family sources said.
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