NEW DELHI — Renowned and respected Islamic scholar of India and former president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maulana Jalaluddin Umri passed away on Friday at the age of 87, in New Delhi.
He was the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind for consecutive three terms from 2007 to 2019 and authored several books on Islam. He was founding member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and also served as the vice chairman of the organisation.
Maulana Umri has also been the editor of an Urdu magazine, Tahqeeqat E Islami, for almost 25 years.
Maulana Jalaluddin Umri was widely considered to be an authority on human rights and the Muslim family system in the Islamic circles of India. He wrote more than 20 books in Urdu and several of them were translated into other languages.
Maulana Umri was born in 1935 in a village called Puttagram, District of North Arcot, Tamil Nadu, British India. He was a graduate of Jamia Darussalam, Oomerabad, Tamil Nadu. He recieved a master’s degree in Islamic Studies from Jamia Darussalam. He also received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Aligarh Muslim University.
Maulana Umri began his association with Jamaat-e-Islami Hind during his student years. After completing his studies, he dedicated himself to its research department. He officially became its member in 1956.
He served as the city Ameer of Jama’at of Aligarh for a decade, and the editor of its monthly Zindagi-e-Nau for five years. Later, the Jamaat elected him to its All-India deputy Ameer, which he served for four consecutive terms (sixteen years). In 2007, the Jamaat’s Central Council of Representatives elected him its Ameer (Chief).
T. Arif Ali, national general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said at the demise of Maulana Umri, “The Indian Muslim Community has today lost one of its prominent and outstanding leaders with the demise of Mulana Jalaluddin Umri, renowned Islamic Scholar and former Ameer, Jama’at-e-Islami Hind.”
Prominent Muslim organisations including Jamiate-i-Ulama Hind have expressed condolences to the bereaved community and wished the departed soul the exalted position in Jannah.