Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari (26 April 1943 – 30 September 2014) widely known as Molvi Saeb among his followers was a Kashmiri Shia cleric, politician, businessman and a authoriser of Grand Ashura Procession In Kashmir. Ansari was also a renowned business man. He studied Islamic theology in Iran, Egypt and Iraq. He was famous among religious circles as great orator of majlise shame – ghareeba the night of 11th muharram His religious speeches catapult him on global stage and were widely hailed worldwide particularly in the Indian subcontinent. He succeeded his father Molvi Muhammad Jawad Ansari as president of All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association in Jammu & Kashmir in 1962, a position he held for life. He was a sitting member of Jammu and Kashmir’s Legislative Assembly for the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party; he was earlier a member of National Conference and Congress. Molvi Iftikhar entry into politics was seen as major shift. He was nominated as an MLC in 1973 on Congress ticket but switched to Janata Party in 1977. In Parliament elections, he first time contested against the National Conference during LS polls of 1977. And the NC’s candidate was wife of late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Though he lost those elections but his contesting against NC was marked as the beginning of state’s mainstream politics. He switched back to Congress in 1980s and was chosen as leader of the Legislature party in the State Assembly from 1983 to 1987. He was again elected to the state legislative assembly in 1996 on a Congress ticket and became a minister in the National Conference (NC) government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah. In 2002, Molvi Iftikhar joined NC and was elected from Pattan Assembly segment later that year but quit the party in 2006 to join the PDP. He lost the by-election. Coming back strongly in 2008, he was elected from Pattan Assembly segment. In forth coming assembly elections, he was PDP’s candidate from the same constituency. Currently a law maker from North Kashmir’s Pattan and Vice- President of State’s principal opposition Peoples Democratic party, Molvi Iftikhar was earlier member of Congress and National Conference. He served State as minister as well. Besides being well read cleric and mature politician, Molvi Ansari was also a business tycoon of state interests in car trade. His family also owns two leading showrooms in the summer capital of the state.
Assassinations
Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari was one of the rare political stalwarts who stood by the people of the state and did not leave valley during peak of militancy. He escaped three assassination attempts. Ansari was thrice the target of unsuccessful assassination attempts. In June 2000 Ansari barely escaped the explosion of a landmine while addressing a religious congregation at Gund Khwaja Qasim. The blast killed twelve of his followers. On 1 September 2000 Ansari was injured by an IED explosion that killed two policemen and a driver.
Death
Ansari died at his residence Dar ul Jawad, Qamarwari, Srinagar on the morning of 30 September 2014 (04 Zilhajah 1435 AH), after a prolonged liver illness. Ansari was undergoing specialized treatment in the United States. Various political, religious and social leaders offered condolences. Not well during last few years of his life, Molvi Ansari finally lost battle to chronic liver disease on September 30 2014. In recent past according to family, he was in New Delhi for treatment. When flood hit valley, Molvi was shifted to his daughter’s residence at Alamgari Bazar. His condition deteriorated and was taken back to his Darul Jawad residence late Sunday evening. Amid sobs, wails and tears, Molvi Iftikhar’s body was taken for last rites. The people were in lakhs and the funeral procession passed through Saikidafar, Eid gah Hawal Gaysiyar Chowk and Alamgari Bazar. Almost half a million people joined the funeral procession of iftikhar Ansari from qamarwari to Zadibal imambargah where namaz e jenazah was offered. He was buried in his ancestral graveyard, Baba Mazar, Alamgari bazar, Zadibal, Sriangar. Cutting across political affiliations, his demise was widely condoled. Known as the fire brand leader in the political spectrum of the state, Molvi Iftikhar’s demise was termed as the great loss for the state. Besides top leadership of PDP, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among the first to reach to the residence of Molvi Iftikhar and condole his demise, while Omar’s father Dr Farooq Abdullah termed the loss as ‘personal’.
Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari: A Prominent Figure in Kashmiri Shia Islam and Politics
Early Life and Education
Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, widely known as Molvi Saeb among his followers, was born on 26 April 1943. He hailed from a distinguished family with deep roots in religious scholarship and leadership. From a young age, Ansari was immersed in an environment that fostered Islamic learning and piety. His father, Molvi Muhammad Jawad Ansari, was a respected cleric, setting the stage for Iftikhar’s future endeavors.
Ansari pursued Islamic theology in some of the most prestigious centers of Shia learning, including Iran, Egypt, and Iraq. This extensive education equipped him with profound knowledge and understanding of Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and Quranic exegesis. His scholarly pursuits earned him recognition as a formidable orator and religious leader.
Religious Leadership and Influence
Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari’s religious leadership was marked by his eloquent sermons and deep spiritual insights. He was particularly renowned for his majlise shame-ghareeba, the night of 11th Muharram, where his orations captivated audiences and earned him a global reputation. His speeches were widely hailed, especially in the Indian subcontinent, where his influence extended beyond Kashmir.
In 1962, following the death of his father, Ansari succeeded him as the president of the All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association, a position he held for life. Under his leadership, the association became a significant force in the religious and social life of Kashmiri Shias. Ansari’s ability to articulate the community’s concerns and aspirations made him a beloved figure among his followers.
Political Career
Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari’s entry into politics marked a significant shift in his career and the political landscape of Kashmir. He began his political journey as a member of the Indian National Congress, where he was nominated as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) in 1973. In 1977, he switched to the Janata Party and contested the parliamentary elections against the National Conference (NC), although he was not successful.
Ansari’s political career was characterized by several party affiliations and significant positions. He rejoined the Congress in the 1980s and served as the leader of the Legislature Party in the State Assembly from 1983 to 1987. He was elected to the state legislative assembly in 1996 on a Congress ticket and became a minister in the NC government headed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah.
In 2002, Ansari joined the NC and was elected from the Pattan Assembly segment. However, he quit the party in 2006 to join the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Although he lost the by-election, he made a strong comeback in 2008, winning the Pattan Assembly seat. At the time of his death, he was a sitting lawmaker from Pattan and the Vice-President of the PDP.
Business Ventures
In addition to his religious and political roles, Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari was also a successful businessman. He had significant interests in the automobile trade, and his family owned two leading car showrooms in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. His business acumen further cemented his status as a prominent figure in the state’s socio-economic fabric.
Assassination Attempts
Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari was a steadfast leader who remained in the Kashmir Valley during the peak of militancy, despite facing significant personal risks. He survived three assassination attempts. The first, in June 2000, occurred when a landmine exploded while he was addressing a religious congregation at Gund Khwaja Qasim, killing twelve of his followers. The second attempt, on 1 September 2000, involved an IED explosion that injured Ansari and killed two policemen and a driver.
Death and Legacy
Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari passed away on 30 September 2014, at his residence Dar ul Jawad in Qamarwari, Srinagar, after a prolonged battle with liver disease. His death marked the end of an era for the Shia community in Kashmir. He had been undergoing specialized treatment in the United States and was also treated in New Delhi before returning to Kashmir during the floods of 2014.
Ansari’s funeral was a massive event, with almost half a million people joining the procession from Qamarwari to Zadibal Imambargah, where the Namaz-e-Janazah was offered. He was buried in his ancestral graveyard, Baba Mazar, Alamgari Bazar, Zadibal, Srinagar. His death was widely condoled across political affiliations, with prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Dr. Farooq Abdullah, expressing their grief.
Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari’s life and legacy are a testament to his multifaceted contributions to Kashmiri society. As a revered cleric, influential politician, and successful businessman, Ansari left an indelible mark on the religious, political, and economic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. His unwavering commitment to his community, despite facing numerous challenges, continues to inspire and guide future generations.