Nation mourns passing of ex-Islamic minister Dr Majeed

Maldivians are mourning the untimely death of former Islamic minister Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari in Sri Lanka.

The 55-year-old religious scholar was undergoing treatment at a Colombo hospital when he passed away Tuesday afternoon. He was hospitalised last Friday after suffering a stroke.

According to media reports, he was breathing with the help of a ventilator the past few days.

He is survived by his wife and five children.

Dr Majeed was the first Maldivian to earn a doctorate in Quran Tafseer (interpretation). A heavyweight religious scholar and founding member of the Adhaalath Party, he was appointed the country’s first minister of Islamic affairs in 2008 and served in the post during the three-year administration of former president Mohamed Nasheed.

He was also the first president of the Centre for Quran Studies established by former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Dr Majeed was a senior lecturer at the national university, president of the Adhaalath Party scholars council, and politically active with the opposition alliance at the time of his death.

Tributes have been pouring in for the late scholar. Opposition leader Nasheed called Dr Majeed a notable reformist among Maldivian religious scholars who “never hesitated to speak the truth”.

President Abdulla Yameen offered condolences to the family as ministers and ruling party lawmakers paid their respects.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of former islamic minister Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Baaree. My condolences. pic.twitter.com/fHDRFvQ86t

— MVislamicaffairs (@MVIaffairs) May 22, 2018

Very sad to hear of the passing of Dr. Abdul Majeed Bari- a committed reformist and a vocal scholar. May Allah grant him eternal peace; wishing his family and loves ones strength.

— Eva Abdulla 🎈❓ (@evattey) May 22, 2018

My brother-in-law Dr. Majeed has passed away. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Will surely miss the presence of a truly lovable and kind person. May Allah grant his soul Jannathul Firdous.

— Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) May 22, 2018

Dr Bari was a great scholar of this nation. Very well learned man. A modest person. So much respect for him. The days we were colleagues will never be forgotten. His passing away is a great loss to the nation. May Allah grant him Janna, ameen.

— Aslam 🎈 (@AslamAslamtey) May 22, 2018

Untimely passing of Dr. Majeed is a devastating loss not only for his family but to Maldives, particularly for the oppositions reformation battle and for the promulgation of the real beauty and tenets of Islam. إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ. May Allah bless his soul

— Fayyaz Ismail (@faya_i) May 22, 2018

Dr.Bari was a good man, a kind soul, a generous scholar & an honourable friend. We have lost the first of our friends at the #underwater cabinet meeting. He will always be remembered fondly & with a heartfelt prayer. May Allah grant marhoom Abdul Majeed jannathul firdous – Ameen.

— ahmad ali sawad (@DrSawad) May 22, 2018

I first met him in December 2010. He was a minister back then, yet he came down to meet me & my friend at an old tuition class. A simple & humble soul.
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ pic.twitter.com/0jttQPETAU

— Ali Nazeer (@alynazeer) May 22, 2018

Dr @amajyd aki Adhaalath party asha Dhivehi qaumasha mulhi islaami ummathah gelligen dhiya agubodu khazanaaeh. Kulligothakah alhugandumena vakivegen dhiyai ethah aguhuri handhaanthakaka dharusthakeh dhookuravvafa. Dr ah جنة الفردوس minvarukuravva aailayah kehtherikan dhevvaashi.

— Ali Zahir (alipi) (@alixahir) May 22, 2018

Feshuneessure gaaiy kamugai dhe gotheh nuve saabith kan matheegai hunnevi Dr Majeed avahaaravi khabaru adu ehee fun hithaama aai eku. Dhuaa aky maaiy Allah Dr ge faafa fussavaa heyo rahmaiy levvun. Adhi suvaruge ge dhaaimy niumaiy dhevvun. Aailaa ah keiytherikan dhevvun. Aameen.

— Dr Mohamed Iyaz (@dr_iyaz) May 22, 2018

Al-marhoom Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari ge furaanafulhah suvarugeyge dhaaimee niumai minvaru kuravvaashi! Adhi mi hithaamaveri dhandivalhugai e marhoomuge aailaa ah keitherikamaa saabithukan dhevvaashi! Ameen!

— Dr.Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) May 22, 2018

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
ޑރ. މަޖީދަކީ ހިތްޕުޅުހެޔޮ އޯގާތެރި ދީންވެރި ބޭފުޅެއް. ތެދުވެރި އިޚްލާސްތެރިއެއް. ހައްޤުބަސް ވިދާޅުވުމުގަ ސާބިތުވެ ހުންނެވި ބޭފުޅެއް. ޑރ.މަޖީދަށް ސުވަރުގޭގެ ދާއިމީ ނިިއުމަތް މިންވަރު ކުރައްވާ އާއިލާއަށް ކެތްތެރިކަން ދެއްވާށި. އާމީން. https://t.co/eCANnFHwHj

— 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐟 (@AhmedMahloof) May 22, 2018

The death of Dr. Abdul Majeed was a personal loss to all of us who knew him. More importantly his departure is a huge loss to this nation. May Allah forgive him, elevate his rank and Grant him the highest of Paradise. pic.twitter.com/oi5BX0ZdKz

— Dr. Mauroof Hussain (@drmauroof) May 22, 2018

Aailaa ah keiytherikan dhevaashi, Marhoom ah suvarugeyge mathiveri niumaiy minvvaru kurahvaashi. pic.twitter.com/tSRNYHmIsm

— Ahmed Nihan (@ahmed_nihan) May 22, 2018

Janaza prayers for my late father Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari will be held tomorrow (23rd May 2018) at Jawata Muslim Burial Grounds (Torrington Ave) Colombo 4 after Zuhr (mendhuru) prayers. Well wishers can come for last respects between 10am and Zuhr prayer time. pic.twitter.com/24PFzRfdyR

— Ahmed Firas (@AhmedFiraas) May 22, 2018