The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has condoled the death of actor Dilip Kumar. AIMPLB secretary and spokesperson, Maulana Sajjad Nomani, said he had sought 'forgiveness' for the soul of the popular actor.
In a voice message, the senior cleric said he had been asked to be part of the Namaz-e-Janaza (last prayer before burial) of the thespian in Mumbai, but could not do so because of health issues and prior engagements.
Nomani said that he extends his tribute and condolences to Kumar's family, friends and fans who are in mourning. "I had the opportunity to meet him once. May Allah bless his soul," he said. It is a rare instance where the AIMPLB has officially condoled the demise of an actor.
Earlier, the Aligarh Muslim University fraternity too mourned the demise of the legendary Bollywood actor. Dilip Kumar was also an ex-Court Member of the university. AMU had also conferred him with an Honorary Doctorate degree.
Mohammed Yusuf Khan, known to the world by his screen name Dilip Kumar passed away at the age of 98 on Wednesday morning. He was laid to rest in a suburban cemetery in Juhu, Mumbai amid full state honours on Wednesday evening.
Dilip Kumar's body was kept at his Bandra home a few hours for people to pay their last respects even as huge crowds assembled outside to catch a glimpse of the legendary star before his final journey. Among those who visited and condoled his wife Saira Banu Khan were Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray, Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan,Ranbir Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Johny Lever, and Anupam Kher.
Later, his body was ceremonially draped in the national Tricolour by a Mumbai Police contingent, and taken in procession to the Juhu Muslim Cemetery with scores of people lined up on both sides of the roads to bid a tearful adieu. At the cemetery, many other top Bollywood personalities had gathered for his final 'deedar', awaiting the funeral cortege brought by the police and his family members.
After the traditional rituals and prayers and the state protocols, Dilip Kumar was laid to rest as many of the mourners cried and other fought back their tears even as Mumbai Police deployed tight security and implemented Covid-19 protocols.
With inputs from IANS