Renowned religious scholar Mufti Naeem passes away in Karachi

KARACHI: Prominent religious scholar and Jamia Binoria International chancellor Mufti Muhammad Naeem passed away on Saturday due to cardiac arrest in Karachi, his close aide has confirmed. He was 62.

The prominent cleric was being taken to the hospital when he succumbed to his heart ailment, Maulana Ghulam Rasool, administrator of Jamia Binoria, said.

His funeral prayer will be held tomorrow (Sunday) after Asr prayer.
Mufti Naeem was also a member of the executive committee of Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabia (WMA) – the largest grouping of seminaries in the country.

According to his family members, he was suffering from the chronic illness for a long time.

He is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters.

Born in 1958, Naeem was the founder, and the chancellor of the International Binoria Islamic University Karachi, which enrolls over 5,000 students, including hundreds from abroad.

Well-known for his moderate views about religion, Naeem espoused induction of modern subjects into the typical religious education. Binoria University was one of the initial madrassahs or religious seminaries in Pakistan, which introduced computer science, English, and other modern subjects along with religious education.

Established in 1980, the seminary attracted hundreds of foreign students because of its unique curriculum — a blend of traditional and modern education.

Currently, according to Nazeer Nasir, a spokesperson for Binoria University, over 700 students from 54 different countries are enrolled in the school.

Foreign diplomats are regularly invited to the university to interact with students.

Condolences pour in

Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed sorrow over the death of prominent scholar and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also expressed deep grief, saying the deceased had always helped the government during difficult times.

He prayed for the departed soul.

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also expressed grief on demise of the renowned religious scholar.

“May Allah bless the departed soul in eternal peace and give strength to the bereaved family, Aameen,” military’s media wing, ISPR, quoted General Qamar as saying.

Other politicians, government officials, and people from different walk of life including Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences over the death of Mufti Naeem.

Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar also paid homage to the deceased cleric, saying his religious and national services will always be remembered.