Ullal qazi Abdul Rahman passes away

MANGALORE: Qazi of Ullal Tajul Ulema Assayyid Abdul Rahman Al-Bukhari, 94, passed away following a prolonged illness at his hometown in Payyanur, Kerala, on Saturday. The Qazi, popularly known as 'Ullal Thangal', was born in 1920, was a learned scholar who spearheaded Sunni religious activities in coastal Karnataka and Kerala. He was the president of Jamia Sa-adiya Arabic College, All-Kerala Sunni Jam-iyyathul Ulema and adviser of Markaz Saqafathssunniya and All India Sunni Jam-iyyathul Ulema. He assumed charge as the principal of Seyyid Madani Arabic College, Ullal, in 1971 and became the Qazi of Ullal on November 9, 1978. He was honoured with 'Tajul Ulema' title for his 50 years of meritorious service in the field of religion in 2000. Ministers B Ramanath Rai, UT Khader, Vinaykumar Sorake, K Abhaychandra Jain and Mangalore City North MLA Mohiuddin Bawa expressed their condolence. Ramanath Rai said the services of Ullal Qazi in social and religious sectors are noteworthy. "The death of Qazi, who always held up the values of equality and harmony in the society, is an irreparable loss," he said. Minister Khader said the Qazi was instrumental in reforming Ullal in the past 65 years. "The Qazi has served to make Ullal a prominent religious centre. He was instrumental in the commencement of several social and religious institutions in the region," he added.