HASSAN AZHARI DIES AT 90
Well-known Quran teacher and religious personality passes away due to lymphoma
FAMED Quran teacher and religious personality, Tan Sri Hassan Azhari, died of lymphoma about 5pm yesterday at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) here. He was 90.
His son, former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, confirmed his death.
Another son, Datuk Mohd Zain Hassan, said his father had been warded at HKL for the past one week and had been suffering from lymphoma since August.
“In August, my father had a fever. After checks were conducted, he was found to be suffering from stage four lymphoma. We have been taking turns to care for him since he began having fever, before he was admitted at HKL. However, his health deteriorated since morning and he passed away around 5pm,” said Zain, who is Alam Flora Sdn Bhd chief executive officer.
Hassan’s remains were taken to the family residence in Persiaran Keramat Hujung yesterday, where his family members, relatives and friends converged to pay their last respects.
He will be laid to rest at the Shah Alam Royal Mausoleum in Persiaran Kayangan, Seksyen 5, Shah Alam, Selangor at 9am, today, upon the decree of Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Hassan was widely regarded as “Malaysia’s favourite Quran teacher”, due to his long run on Radio Televisyen Malaysia’s Muqaddam television programme in the 1970s.
He was given the honour of reciting the azan during Malaysia’s independence.
Hassan also recited the azan at the opening of iconic mosques, including the National Mosque in 1967; Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque, Shah Alam; Kapitan Keling Mosque in Penang; and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.
Hassan served as a judge on the annual Tilawah al-Quran competition for 46 years.
Hassan was married to the late Puan Sri Sahara Abdul Samad, Maimunah Abdul Ghani and Khadijah Yusuf.
He leaves 21 children, including public personalities Musa, Zain, former Hulu Klang state assemblyman Datuk Fuad Hassan, and screen legend Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan.