Prominent journalist and senior editor of Greater Kashmir Muddasir Ali, died of sudden cardiac arrest early Friday morning—sending shockwaves among his colleagues and the journalist fraternity. He was 37.
His brother and senior journalist, Jehangir Ali, broke the news on social networking site, Facebook, “My brother Muddasir Ali has left this material world”.
Jehangir Ali was a former senior editor with Brighter Kashmir.
As per his colleagues, before his death he had complained of chest pain on Thursday night and succumbed before he could be moved to a hospital.
Hailing from the Charar-e-Shareef area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, Ali was also contributing to New Delhi based news organization, The Wire and covered stories from Kashmir to various international media outlets.
According to his colleagues, he was homebound and working remotely after his recent injury in his leg when he met an accident while he was coming to office. “After working till late in the night. We were in touch online when he suddenly complained chest pain in the wee hours at around 2 AM,” said a colleague. However, other family members immediately rushed him to Sub District Hospital Charar and later the doctors referred him Srinagar hospital where he was declared brought dead.
Large number of people from different walks of life joined the “Nimaz Jinazah” of Mudair before he was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard at Gulshan Abad Charar-e-Sharief.
Ali did his post-graduation in Mass Communication and Journalism at Media Education Research Centre (MERC) at University of Kashmir. He later joined Srinagar based, daily newspaper, Greater as its trainee reporter and rose to become its senior editor— assigning the major stories to the new breed of journalists and edit their copies for the front-page of the newspaper. Earlier Ali did his traineeship with the local and some national media organizations, where his work was applauded.
Ali’s death has shocked the entire media fraternity in Kashmir as he was known for his journalistic skills and mentoring the new rookies. In his over 15 years of journalism career, Ali covered the major beats including Kashmir politics, administration, power sector and gave voice to voiceless.
Media fraternity across Jammu and Kashmir have expressed shock over Ali’s sudden demise. “Muddasir was an outstanding journalist who reported for @thewire_in from J&K from 2016. Diligent, resourceful and meticulous in his work, his death last night of a heart attack is a huge loss,” founding editor of The Wire, Siddharth Varadarajan wrote on his twitter handle.
“Shocking and sad. Mudasir Ali, a young buddy and a promising member of our tribe associated with @GreaterKashmir is reported to have passed away after suffering massive cardiac arrest this morning. Rest in eternal peace, dear,” Yusuf Jameel, a senior journalist wrote on twitter.
Jammu & Kashmir Editors Forum (JKEF) have expressed deep sorrow over the death of Mudasir Ali. “In this moment of grief JKEF stands with the bereaved family and prayed to almighty Allah to grant them strength to bear the loss,” said a spokesman.
Meanwhile, the Lt Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, three former Chief Ministers, leaders of different political parties condoled Ali’s demise.
In his message, the Lt Governor said, " Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of young journalist Mudasir Ali. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and colleagues."
Former CM and president of National Conference (NC) Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President of NC Omar Abdullah and other party leaders express grief and sorrow over the sudden demise of Mudassir. The leaders prayed for strength to bereaved family to bear the loss and peace to departed.
In a separate tweet former CM Omar said “ It was a terrible shock to hear of the untimely death of Mudassir Ali. He had a bright career as a journalist ahead of him & the fact that he died so young makes his passing even more difficult to comprehend. May Allah grant him Jannat & his family strength at the difficult time”.
“I’ve been interviewed by Muddasir a number of times & tried to dodge his tough questions at numerous press conferences. He was a tenacious reporter, always polite but never easy to fob off. He will be sorely missed. God speed Mudassir,” former chief minister and vice-president, National Conference, Omar Abdulla wrote on twitter.
Another former CM and president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti in a tweet said “Saddened to know of Mudasir Ali’s sudden demise. Have known him for years & he was a great person. Still find it hard to believe. May Allah give strength to his family to bear this loss”.
A spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a tweet said “ Shocked to hear about sudden & tragic death of Mudassir Ali, a young Kashmiri journalist working with @GreaterKashmir & @thewire_in, who passed away due to cardiac arrest this morning. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Expressing deep shock and grief over the tragic and sudden death of Muddasir Ali, CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has termed the demise as an irreparable loss.
Late Muddasir was a veteran journalist. The contribution made by him in the field of journalism will always be remembered. In his death, we have lost a great asset and the vacuum left by his passing away in the media fraternity would be difficult to fill.
Tarigami expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and media fraternity.
Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Prof Saifuddin Soz in a statement said expressed deep sadness on the untimely demise of Mudasirr.
His sudden demise is a great loss to the fraternity of journalists in Kashmir and more particularly to Greater Kashmir."I offer my condolences to the bereaved family and the community of writers associated with the newspaper,” he said.
Apni Party (AP) president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and senior vice president Ghulam Hassn Mir have also expressed deep shock and grief over the demise of Mudasir.
In a condolence message issued here, Bukhari described Mudasir as a professional journalist who would never compromise on ethics of journalism. “The deceased was decent and thorough gentleman who would always keep a sweet smile on his face. Though young but he was an astute journalist who would come up with mind-boggling investigative stuff in his new stories highlighting the shortcomings in our governance system,” Bukhari recalled.
He expressed solidarity with the bereaved family, his relatives, friends and colleagues besides the management and editorial staff of Greater Kashmir where the deceased was working presently.
Bukhari also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and courage for the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Mir in a condolence message expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
“Mudasir would always be remembered for his contribution in the field of journalism. His demise is a huge loss not only to his family but the whole journalist community in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mir remarked.
Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) too condoled the sudden demise of Muddasir. Paying rich tributes to the deceased, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and expressed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.
Calling the death as an irreparable loss, DAK President said his death is a great loss to the media fraternity and has resulted in an unbridgeable void in the field of journalism. “With his demise, we have lost an accomplished journalist,” he said.
Dr Nisar said Mudasir was a fearless and uncompromising journalist who spoke truth to power. “He was always respected and revered for his brave journalism and for him the newspaper was a conduit for speaking truth,” he said.
“Mudasir was a journalist with excellent professional acumen who would never compromise on values of profession.He was an inspiration for many young people to choose journalism as their profession. His contribution in the field of journalism will be remembered for a long time to come. “A man of impeccable integrity, his commitment to the welfare of people of Kashmir was commendable. Through his writings he played a vital role in strengthening and shaping the society,” said Dr Nisar.
Senior trade union leader, President Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam condoled the sad demise of Muddasir. Shabnam on the behalf of EJAC offered his deep condolences to the bereaved. He paid rich tributes to the deceased and termed him a talented journalist who had reached heights of success in a very young age. He said that the loss of such a talented journalist is the loss to the entire society. He expressed his deep solidarity with the bereaved family as well as to media fraternity and said that EJAC stands with them in this hour of grief. He prayed to Allah to bestow highest place in Jannat to the departed soul and also prayed for strength to the bereaved to bear this irreparable loss.

Pall Of Gloom Descends On Chrar-e-Sharief town
‘This Sombre Town Wails For The Son Of The Soil’

Junid Dar/Charari Sharief

Chrar-e-Sharief, Budgam: People from all section of life in Chrar-e-Sharief, a revered town in central Kashmir’s Budgam town weep and wail as promising journalist, Muddasir Ali, a son of the soil, was laid to rest.
A pall of gloom descended on Chrar-e-Sharief township in Budgam after the news of Ali’s death reached surfaced. Scores of people attend last rites, political leadership stunned and people were in despair.
A picturesque town nestled among lush paddy fields, Chrar was wrapped in brooding gloom. People said it was a sign of Almighty’s sadness - mourners assembled at Ali’s home to take part in the funeral procession. The body was put to rest a few meters away from the house.

BK expresses condolence
BK News Service/Srinagar

Brighter Kashmir, a Srinagar based daily newspaper, today expressed profound grief over sudden passing away of Muddasir Ali, a promising journalist working with Greater Kashmir.
The newspaper also condoled with the Jehangir Ali, brother of Muddasir Ali and a senior editor with Brighter Kashmir.
“The departed soul will be remembered for his generosity and philanthropist nature. May Allah shower the departed soul with eternal blessings and grant her Jannat_ul_Firdos.” “In this moment of grief, Brighter Kashmir family stands with the bereaved family and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant them strength to bear the loss.”

Ali will be remembered for his generosity: JKEF
BK News Service/Srinagar

Jammu Kashmir Editors Forum (JKEF) today expressed pround grief over sudden passing away of Muddasir Ali.
Promising journalist, Muddasir Ali of Greater Kashmir passed away in the wee hours of Friday. he was 35.
The departed soul will be remembered for his generosity and philanthropist nature. May Allah shower the departed soul with eternal blessings and grant her Jannat_ul_Firdos.
In this moment of grief JKEF stands with the bereaved family and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant them strength to bear the loss .
JKEF sympathized with his family; and prayed to Almightly Allah for the peace of the deceased soul.
Meanwhile, JKEF expressed his solidarity and sympathy with bereaved family.

‘There is so much grief in our lives’
Colleagues, Friends, Journalists Bid Tearful Adieu to Muddasir Ali

Umar Maqbool Ganie/Srinagar

Colleagues, friends, journalists today bid tearful adieu to promising journalist and senior editor, Greater Kashmir, Muddasir Ali, who passed away today morning due to cardiac arrest.
Senior journalist and senior editor, Indian Express, Muzamil Jaleel, said that the “hearts of our youthful friends and colleagues are stopping suddenly. There is so much grief in our lives. There is so much unbearable pain that we see and feel every day...living, working, existing is a never ending struggle and the good among us, those who aren’t numb already, can’t take it anymore.”
He further wrote “when will we start living again, when will our land stop seeing the frail shoulders of parents carrying the coffins of their young children ... when will we resume dying of old age. when will we start telling the happy stories.” “Mudasir Ali. You kept on telling the stories of our people, of our land till the end. You were a brilliant, hardworking journalist. You were a wonderful human being,” he said.
Friend and Ali’s colleague, Nazir Ganaie wrote on Facebook, “Our last conversation was about life and struggle only. Today I lost a friend, a brother, a mentor, and an affectionate colleague, who was a powerhouse of journalism in Kashmir,” he wrote, adding “Sadly, over 15 years of active journalism career never gave rest. You were always on the go, working, and overthinking. You have now met your last deadline and your new and final journey has begun. May Allah (SWT) give you the highest place in Jannah dear Mudasir Bhai.”
Another colleague and friend of Ali, Khalid Gul, in his facebook message wrote “You never lived for yourself but others family ; relatives ; friends ; poor ; destitute and victims of armed conflict... You used to call me Jaanu; and would go to any extent to see me happy. I never knew you would ditch me like this. You were not only a friend but a brother and mentor. Life is not going to be same. Mudasir Ali.”
Young journalist and friend of Ali, Mir Farhat said “Loosing two journalist friends in a span a two months to cardiac arrest is devastating. Unbelievable that both of these lovely friends are lying in the graves. Why would these young men die of cardiac arrest? Is it COVID or any other ailment? Medico friends can educate.”

Ali’s body of work earned him respect: KPC
BK News Service/Srinagar

The Kashmir Press Club on Friday expressed shock and grief over passing away of prominent journalist and senior editor of Greater Kashmir Muddasir Ali, who died of sudden cardiac arrest early Friday morning.
In a statement issued here, the demise of Muddasir, who worked for Greater Kashmir and also contributed to leading national and international media organisations, is indeed a great loss to the journalistic fraternity of Kashmir. Muddasir was one of the finest and hardworking reporters who earned respect among his colleagues by his work. His death has left a void that would be difficult to fill. At this hour of grief, the Kashmir Press Club management and the journalist fraternity of Kashmir expresses its sympathies and solidarity with the bereaved family especially with the younger brother of Mudasir Ali journalist Jahangir Ali. May Allah grant the bereaved family the patience to bear this huge loss.