Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari (Urdu: مولانا مسرور عباس انصاری) is a Kashmiri religious and political leader, scholar, cleric, preacher, activist and theologian in Jammu and Kashmir.[1][2] He is the Chairman of Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), a Kashmiri nationalist Shia separatist political party that aims for Shi'a–Sunni unity in Kashmir and is also a religious organization that conducts the Grand Ashura Procession in Kashmir.[3][4] He is the President of Al-Abbas Relief Trust, Karan Nagar, Srinagar, and a Senior leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), an alliance of 26 political, social, and religious organizations formed on 9 March 1993 as a united political front to unite Jammu and Kashmir. He is also a senior leader of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).[5][6][7][8] He succeeded his father Mohammad Abbas Ansari after his death.[9][10][11][12] Ansari is a religious leader of Kashmiri Shia Muslims, chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen, and Senior Leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.(JKLF).[13][14][15]

Quaid-e-Itthad
Maulana
Allama
Masroor Abbas Ansari
مسرور عباس انصاری
Chairman of Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM)
Assumed office
27 October 2022
Preceded byMohammad Abbas Ansari
TitleMaulana
Allama
Hujjat-ul-Islam Wal Muslimeen
Personal
Born
Masroor Ansari

(1975-08-12) 12 August 1975 (age 48)
Srinagar, Kashmir
ReligionIslam
NationalityKashmiri
Children2 sons
Parent
EraModern era
RegionKashmir
DenominationUsuli Twelver Shia
SchoolTwelver
SectPan Islamic Unity in Jammu and Kashmir
JurisprudenceJa`fari
CreedUsuli Twelver Shi`a Islam
Political partyJammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen
Main interest(s)Islamic philosophy, Quranic exegesis, Mantiq, logic, Tawhid, Kashf al-Asrar, Tahrir al-Wasilah, Islamic Government, Uṣūl al-Fiqh, Nahj al-Balagha
Alma materOriental College Srinagar
Kashmir University
Houza Ilmia Qom, Qom, Iran.
Known forleader of Ittehadul muslimeen
Other namesArabic/Persian/Urdu:
مسرور عباس انصاری
ProfessionKhateeb and Imam of Friday Prayer of Majid Sajjadia chattabal, Srinagar
OccupationReligious Shia Scholar and Moderate Separatist Leader
RelativesMohammad Abbas Ansari (Father)
Mustafa Hussain Ansari (Uncle)
Sajjad Haider Ansari (Cousin)
Muslim leader
Based inSrinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Period in office2015 – present
ProfessionKhateeb and Imam of Friday Prayer of Majid Sajjadia chattabal, Srinagar
PostCleric
Jurist
Shia Muslim Leader
Websitehttps://ittihadul.tripod.com/

Early life and education edit

Ansari was born on 12 August 1975, in Srinagar.[16] He graduated from the Oriental College in Srinagar and then went to Kashmir University. Later, he traveled to Iran to study at the Qom Seminary.[16] After 14 years of study in Iran he returned to Kashmir.

Career edit

Ansari is the president of Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM). He was the Sub Editor of the monthly Urdu magazine "Safina," which was published from Al-Abbas Relief Trust, Government Medical College Road, Karan Nagar, Srinagar. He is a senior leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference. He has been detained many times over the Kashmir conflict. On 9 July 2023, he was detained again.[13][17]

Ansari, said[when?] that the police action against peaceful mourners on and before Ashura in 2022 is reprehensible and that the government's assertion of taking action during the pandemic is false, as participants were following all SOPs.[18]

8th Muharram processions edit

Ansari on Friday 2023 hailed the decision of LG administration including Lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha[19][20] to lift the 34 year old ban on 8th Muharram procession.[21][22][23]

On 9th Muharram, he urged the authorities to release all religious leaders, lift the ban on the traditional Ashura procession and allow Friday prayers at Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid without any hindrance.[24] In 2023, Ashura processions in Kashmir were held in Srinigar.

2018 Controversy edit

On 15 October 2018, a day after Ansari was detained by police in view of Local Body Polls, thousands of people from Shia-community from Mirgund, Rambail, Matipora and its adjoining areas staged a protest while blocking the Srinagar Muzaffarbad Highway at Mirgund Pattan on Sunday.[citation needed]

2019 Crackdown edit

The Hurriyat Conference on Thursday demanded the release of its chairman and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been under house arrest since the abrogation of Article 370 by the centre on 5 August 2019.

"Mirwaiz is under house detention since 5 August 2019 and none is allowed to visit and meet him," said a Hurriyat Conference spokesman.

He said three Senior Hurriyat leaders Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat and Bilal Lone were denied permission to meet Mirwaiz at his Nageen residence, where he has been under detention since 5 August 2019.

After many attempts to meet him but leader were denied.[25]

In September 2019, Molana Masroor Abbas was also house arrest. Thousands protests for there leaders detention. Then, Police have released Shia cleric and Hurriyat leader Molvi Masroor Abbas Ansari from house detention. Masroor Abbas Ansari, who is the president of Ittehadul Muslimeen was detained three days ago on the eve of Ashura-e-Muharram. In July 2020, police personnel deployed outside his house at Nawakadal were removed and he was set free.[26]

2016 Crackdown edit

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (m) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was arrested when he marched towards Eidgah on Friday. A statement issued by Hurriyat Conference (m) said that in accordance with the joint resistance program of the 'Eidgah Chalo' today, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained outside his Nigeen residence as soon as he tried to march towards 'Eidgah. Earlier, Syed Ali Geelani too was arrested. After than Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen president Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari was arrested by police from his residence at Nawa Kadal before Friday prayers. He had tried to lead march towards Eidgah. Then thousands of people protest in Srinagar for their leaders arrest.[27]

Academia edit

Ansari is currently president of Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen, Senior leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front. Despite political activity, He is Founder of Al Abbas Relief Trust and chairman of Madina Public School[28] and many is Islamic schools.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Senior Pro-Independence Leader and President Itehadul Muslim J&K Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari lead a rally at Chattabal Srinagar on Youm al Quds to express solidarity with the people of Palestine and other oppressed nations".
  2. ^ "Supporters of Masroor Abbas Ansari C Leader Editorial Stock Photo – Stock Image".
  3. ^ "Masroor Abbas Ansari hailed for promoting Muslim unity in IIOJK". 30 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Kashmiri Famous Shia Personalities, Important Shia Personalities, Imam Hussain Research Centre". imamhussainresearch.com.
  5. ^ "Indian policemen detain Masroor Abbas Ansari during a protest in Srinagar against the recent killings in Kashmir".
  6. ^ "Hurriyat: Its History, Role, and Relevance". The Indian Express. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Masroor Abbas condemns the killing spree". Greater Kashmir. 11 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Security of all 18 Hurriyat leaders, 155 politicians withdrawn". excelsiornews.com. 21 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Maulana Abbas Ansari Bereaved". 24 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Former Hurriyat chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari passes away".
  11. ^ "Hurriyat 'dove' Maulana Abbas Ansari passes away". 25 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Thousands Attend the Fateha Ceremony of Maulana Abbas Ansari". 28 October 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Shia leader, others arrested from Srinagar hotel; police say 'attempt to revive JKLF & Hurriyat' – the New Indian Express".
  14. ^ "Moulana Masroor Ansari detained along with others, claims the party". 9 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Indian police arrest APHC leader Maulana Masroor Abbas in Srinagar". 9 July 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Hurriyat: A crowded house, a divided house". The Indian Express. 23 May 2002. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  17. ^ "Masroor Abbas Released from House Detention". 31 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Molvi Masroor Abbas Ansari has condemned the excessive use of PAVA in Downtown localities in Srinagar". Kashmir News Observer. 2016.
  19. ^ "Historic 8th Muharram Procession Takes Place in Kashmir Valley After 34 Years". The Chenab Times. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  20. ^ Excelsior, Daily (27 July 2023). "Muharram Procession Held First Time After 34 Years in Srinagar: LG Manoj Sinha". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Muharram 2023 Date: When is Ashura? Know its importance". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  22. ^ "After 3 decades, J&K allows Muharram procession". The Indian Express. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Muharram 2023 | Shia Muslims Carry Out Muharram Procession in Srinagar, Permission After 3 Decades". TimesNow. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  24. ^ "Masroor Credits Those Who Fought For 8th Muharram Route". Kashmir Observer. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  25. ^ Wani, Fayaz (2 July 2021). "Hurriyat demands release of Mirwaiz, alleges no one allowed to meet him". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Masroor Abbas Released From House Detention". Kashmir Observer. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  27. ^ Raafi, Muhammad (26 August 2016). "#Day49: Mirwaiz Umar, Masroor Abbas Detained". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  28. ^ https://jkffc.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Madina-Public-High-School-Baliharran-Pattan-Baramulla.pdf

External links edit