The Muslim News

Muslim scholar Rafiq Zakaria passes away

10-07-2005

By Nithin Belle

MUMBAI, Khaleej Times — Leading Islamic scholar, author and veteran Congressman Rafiq Zakaria, passed away here yesterday morning following a heart attack. He was 85, and is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter.

According to family sources, Zakaria complained of pain in the back early in the morning. He later suffered a massive heart attack and died before he could be taken to a hospital. His body was later shifted to a hospital, and the funeral is expected to take place in Aurangabad on Monday.

His son Farid Zakaria, who is the editor of Newsweek International is expected to fly in here from the US today. Born in Nala Sopara, a historic town on the outskirts of Mumbai — but a decrepit suburb today — Dr Zakaria topped the Bombay University MA examinations. He won a Ph.D from London University with distinction, and qualified for the bar from Lincoln's Inn.

After returning to India he was involved with the Freedom movement, joining the Quit India movement, and was associated with several leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Azad. But Dr Zakaria was a strident critic of the two-nation theory of Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

He authored a book on Jinnah, The Man Who Divided India, and was critical of the founder of Pakistan. Zakaria wrote books on other leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, Sardar Patel, poet Iqbal, and many others on Indian Muslims.

Though he moved to Aurangabad, he was active in Maharashtra politics, and later got close to Indira Gandhi. He started over a dozen educational institutions in Aurangabad and many in Mumbai, and was also chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. Dr Zakaria was elected to the Maharashtra legislative assembly from Aurangabad for three terms from 1962, and also served as a minister in the state.

In 1978 he entered Parliament and became deputy leader of the Congress. Over the years he has represented India at the United Nations and other bodies.

However, the last few years have seen seem avoid state and national politics. Zakaria devoted much of his time to writing scholarly works, especially on matters relating to Indian Muslims. His wife, Fatma, was an editor in the Times of India.

IANS adds: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh yesterday said eminent Islamic scholar Zakaria, who died early morning at his Mumbai residence, was a true patriot and nationalist.

Manmohan Singh, who was on his way back from London after a three-day official visit, said he cherished his personal association with Zakaria, who was also associated with the Congress party.

"I extend my heart-felt condolences to the Zakaria family," he said.

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