The first head of the Religious Board of Muslims of Nizhny Novgorod region Umar Idrisov died at the age of 67 because of the coronavirus, according to the site of the organization.
"The Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation reports with deep sorrow that on the night of November 7-8, the founder of the Religious Board of Muslims of Nizhny Novgorod region, Imam Khatyb of the Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral Mosque Umar-khazrat Idrisov died of complications caused by the coronavirus," the report says.
The head of the Russian Muftis Council, Ravil Gainutdin, expressed condolences to Idrisov's family and the entire Nizhny Novgorod Muslim community. "Umar-Khazrat Idrisov stood at the very origin of the spiritual revival of the Ummah (religious community - ed.) of Nizhny Novgorod region... From the return of the Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral Mosque to Muslims, the construction of ten mosques throughout the region, to the formation of a system of Islamic education and upbringing of a whole group of young religious figures - many achievements of the Nizhny Novgorod Ummah are direct and immediate merit of our deceased brother," the words of Gainutdin are quoted on the site.
Governor of Nizhny Novgorod region Gleb Nikitin also expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Umar Idrisov. "It is difficult to overestimate Umar Idrisov's contribution to the development of interethnic friendship of the peoples of our region. He carried out huge work on the construction and reconstruction of Muslim shrines in Nizhny Novgorod and the region. Umar Idrisov will forever remain in the history of the region as one of the brightest spiritual leaders. He was a very educated man, helped others find their way to knowledge, and conducted serious educational work. This approach to faith is the key to the peaceful and harmonious development of society as a whole", the press service of the government of the region quotes Nikitin.
Umar Yusipovich Idrisov was born on January 1, 1954, in Gorky. He worked at industrial enterprises of the city and served in the Soviet army. Since 1991 he was the main imam-khatyb of the Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral Mosque. In 1993-2008, he was the chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of Nizhny Novgorod and the Nizhny Novgorod region. In 2008-2012, he was the chairman of the Council of Ulemahs of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Nizhny Novgorod region. In 2014, he became the chairman of the local religious organization of Muslims of Nizhny Novgorod. He was awarded the Order of Glory II degree of the Council of Muftis of Russia (2003), the Order of Friendship (2004), the Order of Merit of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Russian Federation (2015), thanks and certificates of the Nizhny Novgorod region government.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Abu Hanifa Charitable Foundation
Based on materials from RIA Novosti