Former Shahi Imam dies at 87

The city’s Muslim dominated areas and markets in and around Jama Masjid,including the usually bustling Meena Bazar,wore a deserted look to mourn the death. Shops in the Walled City remained closed for the day as a mark of respect. Many other markets like Chawri Bazar,Lal Kuan,Daryaganj,Matia Mahal,Urdu Bazar,Turuk Market and Kabadi Bazar remained closed as well.

Delhi Muslims expressed grief over the demise of the former Imam. Irshad Ahmad,a shopkeeper at Meena Bazar,who was present at the funeral said,“All through my childhood,I offered namaaz behind him. Now he is no more. Our rehbar (caretaker) has gone.”

Syed Abdullah Bukhari was appointed the Vice Shahi Imam in 1946. He became the Shahi Imam on July 8,1973. He shot into the limelight during the Emergency,when he stood up against the then government. “He was the one who looked Indira Gandhi in the eye,” mourner Qazi Ayub Hassan Choudhary said.

CM Sheila Dikshit,Haroon Yusuf,MLA Ballimaran,Ghulam Nabi Azad,Union Health Minister,were among the first visitors at the Jama Masjid. “He worked towards the betterment of all communities,” Dikshit said.

Bukhari is survived by four sons and two daughters.