Srinagar: Prominent businessman, industrialist and the chairman of FIL industries Syed Iqbal Bukhari passed away on Sunday after a brief spell of illness at SKIMS Soura.
The deceased was the father of Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari, President Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party.
Amid participation of hundreds of people, among others, politicians cutting across party lines, civil society members, business fraternity attended the Nimaz-e-Jinaza. The Nimaz-e-Jinaza was led by Haji Ameer Ahmad Khan.
Syed Iqbal Bukhari was laid to rest after Asr prayers at his ancestral graveyard in Ladoora village of Rafiabad in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. The family members said that Syed Altaf Bukhari will remain stationed at Ladoora village for next three days to attend mourners at his ancestral home. They said that Chahrum will be observed on November 17, Wednesday at Ladoora village.
Pertinently, late Syed Iqbal Bukhari was also a philanthropist and popular in all sections of the society as a down to earth, pious and humble personality.
Apart from his belief in corporate social responsibility, he was also a firm believer that people must help the needy at an individual level.
While he had an acumen for trade and commerce, late Syed Iqbal Bukhari’s compassionate and kind hearted attitude towards the underprivileged sections of the society was a quality he was also quite popular for. He always appreciated unique ideas from the young and aspiring entrepreneurs and worked on the core philosophy of hard work and dedication.
Meanwhile, people from different walks of life have condoled the demise of Syed Iqbal Bukhari.
Irreparable loss: LG Sinha
In a condolence message, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the demise and prayed for strength to the bereaved family to overcome the loss.
“My deepest condolences to Shri Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari Sahib on the sad demise of his father Shri Syed Mohammad Iqbal Bukhari. In this time of grief, I pray to the Almighty to bestow strength upon the family to bear this irreparable loss,” the LG said on Twitter.
Advisor Khan expresses grief
In his condolence message, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul as well as fortitude and strength for the bereaved family. He also expressed sympathy with Syed Altaf Bukhari and the bereaved family in this hour of grief. Farooq Khan prayed to Almighty to shower his choicest blessings to the departed noble soul and give courage to the bereaved ones to bear this irreplaceable los
Saddened: Omar Abdullah
Former Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah has condoled the demise. Omar took to Twitter and expressed grief also on part of his father and NC president, former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah.
“inna lilahi wa inna illahi rajiuun. Saddened to hear about the demise of Jb @AltafBukhari01’s father. I join my father in expressing our condolences to Altaf, Tariq & the entire family. May Allah grant Iqbal Bukhari Sb place in Jannat, amen” Omar wrote on Twitter.
Knew Iqbal sahab as my father’s friend: Sajad Lone
Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone has condoled the demise of Syed Iqbal Bukhari, who left to heavenly abode on Sunday, said a party statement. While expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Lone prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to his loved ones in their hour of loss and grief. “Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Syed Iqbal sahib, father of Mr Altaf Bukhari. I knew Iqbal sahib as a dear friend of my late father. May Allah grant him Jannat”, Lone said in his condolence message.
Rana expresses grief
BJP leader and former legislator Devender Singh Rana has expressed deep grief over the demise. “My heartfelt condolences with the bereaved members of the family and prayers for peace to the departed soul”, said Rana in his condolence message, while expressing solidarity with the entire Bukhari family.
Lost a fine human being: GA Mir
In his condolence message Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President GA Mir described Syed Iqbal Bukhari as “a fine human being, who was widely loved and respected”. Mir expressed solidarity with Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari and other members of the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to departed soul.
Was respected among people irrespective of affiliations: Tarigami
CPI (M) Leader MY Tarigami said late Syed Iqbal Bukhari was widely known and respected among the people irrespective of their affiliations. In a condolence message, Tarigami expressed solidarity with the bereaved family especially Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari. He also wished endurance for the entire family to bear this irreparable loss.
Would be remembered for philanthropy: Hakeem Yaseen
The demise of noted philanthropist and prominent social personality of Jammu and Kashmir Syed Iqbal Bukhari has caused ever one grief and sorrow, said Chairman Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Front ( PDF) Hakeem Yaseen. He went to Ladoora Rafiabad the ancestral birth place of late Syed Iqbal Bukhari to participated in his Nimaz-e-Jinaza .
Yaseen recalled late Bukhari’s extraordinary services in the socio- political awakening of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “He was a great philanthropist who was always on forefront to help widows ,orphans , destitute and needy people . His demise has created a void in the field of social services in Jammu and Kashmir which is very difficult to be filled in near future . Late Iqbal Bukhari sb was God fearing , compassionate and kind hearted person whose presence will be missed by the under previlleged sections of the society ,” Hakeem Yaseen said.
The PDF Chairman has extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies with the bereaved family especially with his Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari and prayed for eternal peace to the bereaved soul.
Heartfelt condolences: Khalid Jehangir
Former Journalist and political activist Khalid Jehangir has also expressed grief and send condolences to the family. He took to Twitter and said:
“My heartfelt condolences to Altaf Bukhari sb @AltafBukhari01, @tariqbukharii & Bukhari family on the passing away of their father Haji Syed Muhammad Iqbal Bukhari Saheb . May Allah place the noble soul in Jannat-Ul-Firdous.” Jehangir wrote on Twitter.
Hoteliers Club condoles demise
Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya has condoled the demise and termed it as a personal loss to him.
“ Iqbal Bukhari sahib was the pioneer of the horticulture sector and his contribution towards Kashmir’s economy is immense. He was a noble soul who was always willing to help people out of his way. In his demise, we lost a gem,” Chaya said.
“I express my deepest condolences to Syed Altaf Bukhari Sahib. In this time of grief, I pray to the Almighty Allah to bestow strength upon the family to bear this irreparable loss,” Chaya said.
Members of J&K Hoteliers Club expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.
PHDCCI
The PHDCCI, Kashmir Chapter in its condolence message said Syed Iqbal Bukhari was a noble soul whose contribution towards development of the business sector in Kashmir will be always remembered.
Members of the Chamber offered deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and courage for the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Condolences keep pouring in…
Meanwhile, people from all sections of society continue to express grief over the demise.
Rafiabad Adbi Markaz patron and former secretary cultural Academy Dr Rafeeq Masoodi in a statement termed the demise as “sad and a setback to Rafiabad business community in particular”.
“Iqbal sahab Bukhari would always be remembered for his philanthropic initiatives especially for the people of his ancestral area Rafiabad” said Masoodi.
He extended condolences to Syed Altaf Bukhari, Tariq Bukhari and other members of the family and prayed for the departed soul.
Three People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders- Naeem Akhtar, Arif Laigroo and Harbaksh Singh- who visited Bukhari’s ancestral village and participated in the Nimaz-e-Jinaza have also expressed grief over the demise.
Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has conveyed their heartfelt condolence to the family on the demise. A statement issued here said Syed Iqbal Bukhari has remained member of FCIK.
FCIK held a condolence meeting under President Shahid Kamili to honour the memory of Syed Iqbal Bukhari. The meeting paid rich tribute to and extended condolence to his family, relatives, friends and Industrial Estate Rangreth, said the statement.
FCIK Secretary General Secretary Ovees Qadir Jamie said “we equally share your grief and sorrow at this juncture and we pray to Allah to give his family and Mr Altaf Bukhari patience and courage to bear this loss” the statement said.
“He had an immense in-depth knowledge of agriculture and horticulture sector. He had set up one of the prestigious concentrated Juice plant in Kashmir. He was full of ideas on innovations that industry in Kashmir could adopt for survival” the FCIK statement said.
FCIK Senior vice president Ghulam Jelani said that late Syed Iqbal Bukhari was talented, bright, promising, and hardworking always supporting the youth on business front. He has always worked hard for the upliftment of the business community and has great understanding of the business scenario of Kashmir,Jeelani said.
With Inputs from Altaf Baba in Baramulla