Renowned scholar Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s death sparked strong reactions across the Muslim world, as people and organisations took to social media to mourn his death.
Qaradawi, one of the Sunni Muslim world’s most influential religious scholars, has died on Monday.
Al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian who was based in Qatar, was the chairman of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, and also a spiritual leader for the Muslim Brotherhood. He was 96 years old.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has conveyed his condolences to the family of Qaradawi.
“The Islamic nation has lost one of its most sincere and virtuous scholars,” the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) tweeted.
The Muslim Association of Britain (MCB) expressed its deepest condolences on the loss of Qaradawi.
“In addition to his scholarly endeavours, Sheikh Yusuf was also known for his principled stances against oppression and dictatorial regimes around the world. This included in his native Egypt, where he and his family were subjected to harassment and arrest by the previous and current regimes for his statements and stands,” read a statement by MCB.
Ibrahim Salah Al-Nuaimi, chairman of the Doha international centre for interfaith dialogue, described Qaradawi as a “moderate, great scholar”.
“He worked closely with many representatives of different faiths to bring together harmony and to really put down the hate speeches” that would sometime arise between different faiths,” Al-Nuaimi told Al Jazeera.
“He was probably the most internationalised Muslim scholar that Islam had in modern days – probably the single most influential in that he didn’t limit his teachings to a specific section of Islam,” said Al Jazeera’s Jamal El Shayyal.
Qaradawi often spoke about modern day issues, including everything from the “permissibility of relationships to elections and democracy to social justice issues,” El Shayyal added.
“His progressive thinking helped many converts to Islam. He was a formidable scholar, author & jurist who fearlessly challenged oppressive Arab rulers,” said Yvonne Ridley, prominent journalist.
Bangladesh Jamaate Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman called Qaradawi’s death “a great loss.”
T Arifali, Secretary General of Jamaate Islami Hind said: “World renowned Islamic Scholar and founding President of International Union of Muslim Scholars, Dr. Yousuful Qaradawi passes away in Doha”
