Final abode: Slain MWM leader laid to rest

Allama Irfani was shot dead in Islamabad on Wednesday

PARACHINAR: Shia cleric and Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) leader Allama Muhammad Nawaz Irfani was laid to rest in Central Eidgah of Parachinar, Kurram Agency on Friday afternoon.

The funeral was attended by a large number of people from different parts of the country. Hailing from Gilgit, Allama Irfani was the prayer leader at Central Masjid, Parachinar. In August, following the directives of high-ups, the political administration expelled Allama Irfani from the area after which he shifted to Islamabad. He was shot dead in the federal capital on Wednesday.

The body was brought to Central Masjid, Parachinar on Thursday evening. The funeral procession started from the Central Imambargah and culminated at Eidgah. The procession was attended by tribesmen from different parts of Kurram Agency and adjoining areas of Hangu, Kohat and Orakzai Agency.



After the burial, elders from six different tribes held a jirga to discuss the law and order situation. Chaired by Haji Salim Khan, the jirga termed the assassination an attempt to sabotage peacekeeping efforts and further fuel the sectarian divide.

Addressing the mourners on Thursday, Political Agent Amjad Ali Khan described the loss as irreparable and urged the tribesmen to remain peaceful. He paid tribute to the late scholar and expressed concern over the security situation.

Tribal elders have announced 40 days of mourning in Upper Kurram Agency whereas all government educational institutions and offices will remain closed for three days.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2014.