Senior NC leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal passes away
Srinagar, July 14
Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, the veteran National Conference leader, former Minister and younger brother of NC President Farooq Abdullah, passed away on Tuesday after a protracted illness in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city.
He was admitted to Paras super speciality hospital in Srinagar where he breathed his last on Tuesday afternoon.
He was the son of the legendary Kashmiri leader Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and the uncle of present Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Sheikh Mustafa Kamal completed his MBBS from the Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Medical College in Rajasthan's Jaipur in 1962.
He served as a Minister in the state Cabinets formed in 1983, 1987 and 1996. He was member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from 1987 to 2002 and prior to this, he was a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council from 1983 to 1987.
He was 83-years-old and younger to Farooq Abdullah. His siblings include brother Farooq Abdullah and two sisters, Begum Khalida Shah and Suraiya Ali Matto.
Known as a soft-spoken, down-to-earth gentleman, Mustafa Kamal had no airs about his family background and was always accessible to the people. He died as a bachelor and had lived all his life in the service of the party and the people.
He mostly lived in Shadimarg forest area near Tangmarg where he lived in his house.
He would be seen accompanying ordinary people of Tangmarg area to government offices for their problems and even arrange appointments for the sick people of his area with the top doctors within Jammu and Kashmir and outside.
He is likely to be buried at the ancestral graveyard of the Sheikh family in Soura area of Srinagar.
As the news about his death spread in Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of people expressed grief and condoled Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah on this personal loss.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's sad to hear about his passing, but I wish the media would focus less on his family connections and more on his own work. He was a doctor by training—an MBBS from SMS Medical College—and chose politics to serve. That's a different kind of dedication. 🙏
I didn't know much about Sheikh Mustafa Kamal until now, but the fact that he lived in a forest area and personally helped ordinary people get medical appointments says a lot. Leaders like this are rare anywhere in the world. Condolences to the Abdullah family.
May his soul rest in peace. As someone from J&K, I know how much the Abdullah family has contributed to our region. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal was a quiet pillar of the National Conference. It's a big loss for the party and the people of Tangmarg. Om Shanti.
While I have political differences with the National Conference, one must respect a man who lived for others. Dying a bachelor, devoting his life to party and people—that's true sacrifice. Kashmir has lost a humble soul. Hope Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah find strength in this tough time.
Rest in peace Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal. It's inspiring that even with his family background, he chose to live a simple life in Shadimarg and help the common person. The world needs more leaders with such down-to-earth qualities. Sending strength to Kashmir during this loss.
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