Renowned Islamic scholar Hazrat Maulana Haafiz Qari Mohammad Abdullah Quraishi Al-Azhari, who was 'Khateeb' (chief priest) of the historic Mecca Masjid here, passed away today after a brief illness.
He was 80.
Quraishi was a diabetic and died of old age-related ailments at a hospital in the old city of Hyderabad this morning, Nayeemuddin, Superintendent of Mecca Masjid, said.
Quraishi, who served the Mecca Masjid for 32 years, was an authority on Islam and Arabic language, having studied in Egypt. He also served as deputy vice chancellor of Jamia Nizamia, one of the oldest Islamic seminaries, he said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu condoled the death of Quraishi.
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Meanwhile, Gachibowli police station inspector J Ramesh Kumar said, "The missing HCU student was found at his friend's room at Nallagandla area and he is with his father now".
