Mumbai : Death is an inevitable reality from which no human being can escape. Every day, countless people depart from this world, but the passing of some personalities leaves behind a void that is not easy to fill. One such dignified and active personality was Qamar-un-Nisa Saeed Ahmed, wife of Saeed Ahmed, owner and editor of Urdu Times, and mother of Sohail Ahmed, Managing Editor of Urdu Times. She passed away after a prolonged illness. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

The funeral procession of the deceased left her residence, Hoor Villa, 26 Maratha Mandir Marg, Mumbai Central, after Maghrib prayers. Later, the funeral prayer was offered after Isha prayers at Andheri Muslim Cemetery, near D.N. Nagar Metro Station, following which she was laid to rest there.

The funeral prayer and burial were attended by Urdu Times owner and editor Saeed Ahmed, his son and Managing Editor Sohail Ahmed, other family members, relatives, and several prominent personalities from the city.

Among those present were Dr. Mohammed Ali Patankar, noted businessman V.R. Shariff, MLA Haroon Khan, senior lawyer Saeed Akhtar, Khalid Manzoor Ahmed (owner, Mumbai Urdu News), Shahbaz Siddiqui, Ejaz Ahmed Ejaz (UNI), Javed Jamaluddin, Aziz Ejaz, Naseem Azmi, Saeed Khan, Mohammed Rafiq Sheikh and Akhlaq Ahmed, along with leading personalities associated with the educational, journalistic, literary, political and social fields.

Qamar-un-Nisa Saeed Ahmed was known as a pious, religiously observant, cheerful and deeply compassionate woman. Owing to her good character, pleasant manner of speaking and empathetic nature, she was held in high regard by her family, relatives, friends and acquaintances.

Within a relatively short period, she also established a distinctive presence in government and administrative circles. She was said to have access to and influence among relevant circles in the Chief Minister’s Office (Mantralaya), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Railway Department. She consistently raised her voice for Urdu journalism, particularly regarding the allocation of government advertisements to Urdu newspapers.

According to representatives of Urdu newspapers, Qamar-un-Nisa was among those who regularly raised the issue of government advertisements for Urdu newspapers and made representations to the concerned authorities. Her efforts in support of Urdu journalism are regarded as an important part of her public service.

Her demise has cast a deep sense of grief and sorrow over the Urdu Times organisation, her family, associates and the journalistic and social circles connected with her.

She is survived by her husband, Saeed Ahmed, one son, Sohail Ahmed, and one daughter.

The management of Urdu Times, members of the journalistic fraternity, and the deceased’s family and associates expressed deep sorrow and grief over her passing. They prayed to Allah Almighty to grant Qamar-un-Nisa Saeed Ahmed the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous, elevate her ranks and grant patience and fortitude to all the bereaved family members. Ameen.