SOPORE — A wave of profound grief and mourning has swept through the political, social, and media landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir following the sad demise of Pir Saif-u-Din Sahib, who passed away after a brief illness at his residence in Alsafa Colony, Sopore. The deceased was a highly revered community figure, former General Secretary of the Auqaf Committee Neharpora (Sopore), a veteran pillar of the Fruit Mandi Sopore, and the father-in-law of senior journalist Irfan Ahmad Quraishi.
Since the news of his passing broke, a steady stream of high-profile dignitaries, political leaders, prominent media personalities, editors, and religious scholars have been visiting the bereaved family’s residence in Sopore to offer their condolences, while various media bodies and trade associations have issued statements expressing deep solidarity.
Among those who visited the residence to offer heartfelt condolences directly to Irfan Ahmad Quraishi and the family was Cabinet Minister Javid Ahmad Dar (Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, and Cooperative Department), who described the deceased as a noble, upright personality whose community service left a permanent mark on the region. Prominent religious scholar Al-Haj Moulana Peerzada Mohd Shafi also visited the residence and addressed a condolence meet, throwing light on the pious, compassionate, and warm-hearted nature of the deceased.
The residence also saw condolence visits from prominent political figures and party spokespersons, including Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Leader and Spokesperson Tahir Syed, Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) Leader and Spokesperson Syed Tajamul Islam, Former Cabinet Minister and Senior Vice President of the J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC) Abdul Gani Vakil, and JKPDP Leader Altaf Malik.
The media landscape stood united in grief as numerous editors, correspondents, and video journalists from major local and national media houses arrived in Sopore to share the family’s grief and show professional solidarity. Shahid Imran, Editor-in-Chief of Kashmir Crown, visited the residence alongside a dedicated team from the Kashmir Crown office, which included Mir Mohsin, Mubashir Dar, and Mohd Ayub. Other prominent media personalities who visited personally to extend their sympathies included Ashiq Mir (Correspondent for India News), Feroz Wani (Video Journalist for iTV Network), Janan Wani (Representative from JK News Today), Qazi Shafeeq (Reporter for India Scan), Shabir Khan (Sopore Reporter for State Times), and senior media personality Pir Sajad.
In tandem with the personal visits, official statements of solidarity were issued by major media organizations and trade bodies across the region. The Sopore Media Association (SMA), led by President Shabir Ahmad Dar, along with all senior members, remembered Pir Saif-u-Din Sahib as a gentle soul whose sincerity touched countless lives. President Shabroz Malik, on behalf of the Media Association Pattan (MAP), expressed profound shock over the demise, describing the deceased as an epitome of humility and good character. Editors Arshid Mir of Kashmir Headlines and Mohammad Lateef of Kashmir Tehalka also issued separate messages standing in complete solidarity with their esteemed colleague during this painful hour.
The trading community was equally plunged into grief. The Kashmir Fruit Growers & Dealers Association, Fruit Mandi Sopore, headed by its President Fayaz Ahmad Malik (Kakaji), deeply mourned the loss. Kakaji, along with a large delegation from the Mandi fraternity, visited the residence and paid rich tributes to Pir Saif-u-Din Sahib, calling him a veteran, hardworking pillar of the trading hub who was known throughout valley trade circles for his unmatched dedication, honesty, and unblemished integrity.
In all messages, prayers, and gatherings at the residence, speakers and visitors recited the holy verses of “Kullu Nafsin Za’ikatul Maut” and “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” paying glowing tributes to the deceased for his lifelong contributions to society. The entire leadership, trade fraternity, and journalistic community jointly prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the departed soul, grant him the highest echelons in Jannat-ul-Firdous, and bestow fortitude, courage, and Sabr-e-Jameel upon Irfan Ahmad Quraishi and the entire grieving family to bear this monumental and irreparable loss.
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