ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: Renowned religious and spiritual personality and custodian of the Golra Sharif shrine, Allama Syed Pir Naseeruddin Naseer Gilani was laid to rest at his family graveyard at Golra here on Saturday amid tears and prayers of thousands of his followers and devotees.

Custodian of Baghar Sharif, Kahuta Sahibzada Allama Sajidur Rehman led the funeral prayer, which was attended by a large number of people from all walks of life including politicians, religious and literary personalities.

Special traffic and security arrangements had been made to facilitate people who came from far-flung areas.

Pir Naseeruddin died on Friday at the age of 58. He suffered a massive heart attack and was shifted to a private hospital. But he died before being provided any medical aid.

Thousands of his followers converged on Golra shrine at sector E-11 from across the country and abroad after hearing about his death.

Pir Naseeruddin was the grandson of Pir Mehar Ali Shah (known as Pir of Golra Sharif) and the son of Syed Ghulam Moinud Din Gilani, known as Lalajee.

Pir Naseeruddin was a renowned religious scholar and poet. He wrote poetry in Arabic, Urdu and Punjabi languages and authored 36 books, including Lafz-i-Allah kee Tahqiq, Kia Iblees Alim Thaa, Pakistan mein Zalzaley ke Tabahkarian, Musalmaanoon ke Urooj-o-Zawal kay Asbab, Quran Majid key Aadab-i-Tilawat’, Mawazna-i-Ilm-o-Karamat.

Pir of Golra Sharif played important role in spreading the message of Islam in the Potohar region. People of the twin cities and the surrounding areas held the mystic personalities of Golra Sharif in high esteem.

The slain Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, had also visited Golra Sharif soon after coming to the country from exile in 2007.

Thousands of his devotees and followers used to visit Golra shrine for guidance and spirituality, particularly on the annual Urs of Pir Naseer’s ancestors.

His services as scholar as well as preacher of Islam would always be remembered.

Condolence messages

Ministers, academicians, religious personalities and politicians expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of the custodian of Golra Sharif.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi in his condolence message said the untimely death of Allama Syed Pir Naseeruddin, who was an Islamic scholar of great stature, has left a huge void, which would be felt for years to come.

The minister prayed to Allah Almighty to shower his blessings on the departed soul and give courage and fortitude to his family members and followers to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.

Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour paid rich tribute to the religious, spiritual and literary services rendered by Pir Naseeruddin. “Pir Naseeruddin Naseer was not only a spiritual leader but also a man of letters, an intellectual, poet of repute and a linguist,” he said. The minister said that Pir Sahib always emphasized for the unity of Muslims and condemned the act of terrorism.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in his condolence message lauded invaluable religious services of the Pir.

Federal ministers Syed Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, Syed Sumsam Ali Bukhari, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Noorul Haq Qadri, Shagufta Jumani in their separate condolence messages, eulogized services of Pir Naseeruddin Naseer for Islam, which would be remembered for a long time.

Jamiate Ulama-i-Pakistan (JUP) also expressed sorrow over the death of Pir Naseeruddin Naseer. Pir Syed Anees Haider Shah from Jalalpur Sharif and President JUP-Niazi in his condolence message termed the death of the Pir as irreparable loss for Muslim Ummah.

President, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), Dr Anwar Hussain Siddiqui eulogized the religious and national services.