<p>Veteran Gujjar leader and Padma Bhushan awardee Mian Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness. He was 98.</p>.<p>Ahmed, a resident of village Wangat in Kangan area of the central Kashmir district, breathed his last at about 10 pm, family sources said.</p>.<p>His Nimaz-e-Jinazah (funeral prayers) will be performed on Sunday at Mizar Shrief Baba ji Sahib Larvi located at Baba Nagari Wangat, they said.</p>.<p>Ahmed was the son of top Gujjar leader and saint Mian Nizam Din Larvi and father of former Minister and National Conference (NC) leader Mian Altaf Ahmad.</p>.<p>Born in November 1923, Mian Bashir Ahmed was a minister in Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's cabinet. Later, he left politics and started working for Islamic Sufi tradition and to help downtrodden people.</p>.<p>In 2008, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan award for his extraordinary service for Gujjar-Bakarwal community and other downtrodden groups.</p>.<p>Condolences to his family poured in from various quarters.</p>.<p>"Just heard about the sad demise of Mian Bashir Sahib, a spiritual leader & a mass leader revered by many especially in the Gujjar community. His demise will be deeply felt by many of us. My condolences to my colleague Mian Altaf Sb & his family," NC vice president Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.</p>.<p>His party said Ahmed's death has felt a void that cannot be filled.</p>.<p>"Grieved over the passing of Mian Bashir Ahmad Laaravi, a renowned spiritual leader & political figure. His death has felt a void that can't be filled. Our condolences go out to Mian Altaf Laaravi, the entire family & Bashir Sb's admirers. May Allah grant him a place in Jannat," the NC wrote on Twitter.</p>.<p>Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress committee (JKPCC) expressed profound grief over his passing, describing it as a great loss to the UT.</p>.<p>In his condolence message, JKPCC president Ghulam Ahmad Mir expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the eminent religious scholar, socio-political figure, saying Ahmed was known for his spirituality and social work he rendered to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>.<p>"Saddened to learn about the passing away of Mian Bashir Saheb. I have no words to express my grief," Mir said.</p>.<p>He expressed deepest condolences to Mian Altaf and other members of the bereaved family and Ahmed's followers.</p>.<p>Praying for the eternal peace to the departed soul, the JKPCC president said, adding that Ahmed's guidance and teachings shall continue to inspire generations.</p>.<p>Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone described Ahmed as an inspirational leader.</p>.<p>"Deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family of Mian Bashir Sahab. An inspirational leader, defined by simplicity who had a humbling effect on people he interacted with. May his soul rest in peace," Lone said.</p>
<p>Veteran Gujjar leader and Padma Bhushan awardee Mian Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness. He was 98.</p>.<p>Ahmed, a resident of village Wangat in Kangan area of the central Kashmir district, breathed his last at about 10 pm, family sources said.</p>.<p>His Nimaz-e-Jinazah (funeral prayers) will be performed on Sunday at Mizar Shrief Baba ji Sahib Larvi located at Baba Nagari Wangat, they said.</p>.<p>Ahmed was the son of top Gujjar leader and saint Mian Nizam Din Larvi and father of former Minister and National Conference (NC) leader Mian Altaf Ahmad.</p>.<p>Born in November 1923, Mian Bashir Ahmed was a minister in Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's cabinet. Later, he left politics and started working for Islamic Sufi tradition and to help downtrodden people.</p>.<p>In 2008, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan award for his extraordinary service for Gujjar-Bakarwal community and other downtrodden groups.</p>.<p>Condolences to his family poured in from various quarters.</p>.<p>"Just heard about the sad demise of Mian Bashir Sahib, a spiritual leader & a mass leader revered by many especially in the Gujjar community. His demise will be deeply felt by many of us. My condolences to my colleague Mian Altaf Sb & his family," NC vice president Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.</p>.<p>His party said Ahmed's death has felt a void that cannot be filled.</p>.<p>"Grieved over the passing of Mian Bashir Ahmad Laaravi, a renowned spiritual leader & political figure. His death has felt a void that can't be filled. Our condolences go out to Mian Altaf Laaravi, the entire family & Bashir Sb's admirers. May Allah grant him a place in Jannat," the NC wrote on Twitter.</p>.<p>Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress committee (JKPCC) expressed profound grief over his passing, describing it as a great loss to the UT.</p>.<p>In his condolence message, JKPCC president Ghulam Ahmad Mir expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the eminent religious scholar, socio-political figure, saying Ahmed was known for his spirituality and social work he rendered to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>.<p>"Saddened to learn about the passing away of Mian Bashir Saheb. I have no words to express my grief," Mir said.</p>.<p>He expressed deepest condolences to Mian Altaf and other members of the bereaved family and Ahmed's followers.</p>.<p>Praying for the eternal peace to the departed soul, the JKPCC president said, adding that Ahmed's guidance and teachings shall continue to inspire generations.</p>.<p>Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone described Ahmed as an inspirational leader.</p>.<p>"Deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family of Mian Bashir Sahab. An inspirational leader, defined by simplicity who had a humbling effect on people he interacted with. May his soul rest in peace," Lone said.</p>