JEDDAH, 12 August 2005 — The world has lost one of the greatest propagators of Islam, said speaker after speaker at a meeting organized here on Wednesday to condole the death of Ahmad Deedat.
In a passionate speech, Essam Ahmad Mudeer, the Saudi son-in-law of Ahmad Deedat, said the world needed more Deedats at this critical point of time in Islamic history.
“He has shown the way; we need to follow up on that; his books need to be widely circulated in as many languages as possible. That was his mission till he breathed his last on Aug. 8 in South Africa.
“Now that he is not there it is our duty to carry his message forward. That will be a fitting tribute to the man who single-handedly turned the tables on the detractors of Islam,” said Mudeer.
He said the reaction of Muslims to provocation from the enemies of Islam had become very predictable.
“They provoke us and then we take to the streets shouting death to this country and death to that country. That is not a very intelligent reaction, is it?” Mudeer asked.
“Those who desecrated the Holy Qur’an in Guantanamo have no idea what they have done. It is our duty to tell them what they are missing out on.
“Let them read the Holy Qur’an and they’ll know what a great sin they have committed. Let us provide them with copies of the Holy Qur’an and let them read Ahmad Deedat’s comparative discourses on the Bible and Qur’an,” he added.
Syed Saleem Quadri, who widely traveled with Deedat during his many visits to Saudi Arabia, said: “His death is an irrevocable loss for the Ummah and he will always be remembered for his unparalleled sacrifice, sincerity and the highest devotion for the cause of Allah.”
Organizers Muhammad Sayeeduddin and Syed M. Afsar extended their deepest condolences to all the family members of Deedat and prayed to Allah for the best place in paradise for the revered scholar. They said Deedat favored dialogue over everything else.
Israrul Haque, Siyadat Ali Khan, Nayeemullah Shareef, Aleem Khan Falki, Dr. Muhammad Kareem Beebani and Syed Moinuddin also recalled the yeoman services rendered to the Islamic cause by Deedat.
