By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Nagpur : Renowned Muslim scholar and translator of the Holy Qur’an into Urdu, Maulana Abdul Karim Parekh passed away in a private nursing home here in the early hours Tuesday following a brief illness. He was 85. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon.
His translation of the Holy Qur’an was first published in Urdu, and has underwent more than 40 prints. It is now available in many different languages, including Hindi, English and Gujarati. His Qur’an translation carries Introduction and Foreword by Late Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi.
Maulana Parekh had a thorough understanding of Islam besides a deep knowledge of other religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. He had command over Hindi, Urdu, Marathi, Arabic, Gujarati and Sanskrit.
The Maulana was the founder treasurer and an influential member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) till recently. He quit the board due to ailing health condition. Within a span of two days, it is another shocking news for AIMPLB following the demise of its former Vice-President Maulana Mukhtar Ahmad Nadwi Sunday.
Maulana Parekh was a respectable figure among all religious heads and was conferred the Padma Bhushan award in 2001 for his contribution to the society. He was also conferred with several other awards, including the Pride of India Award from the American Federation of Muslims from India.
In his condolence message, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said in Parekh’s death the country had lost a great humanitarian and an ideal symbol of secularism.
He is survived by four sons and five daughters.