<p>Former chairman of the Hurriyat Conference and influential Shia leader Maulana Abbas Ansari, considered a dove among the separatist hawks, died here on Tuesday. He was 86.</p>.<p>"Maulana (Ansari) breathed his last at his Nawakadal residence in the old city on Tuesday morning," a relative of the deceased leader said.</p>.<p>He said Ansari was not keeping well for the past couple of months and was hospitalized for some time in September.</p>.<p>Ansari was the last chairman of the undivided Hurriyat Conference which split into two factions soon after his election as the head of the separatist amalgam in 2003.</p>.<p>It was during the tenure of Ansari as the chairman of the separatist amalgam that the moderate faction -- which included the likes of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Professor Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone -- entered into talks with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.</p>.<p>Ansari had stepped aside from active politics and his son Masroor had replaced him in Hurriyat as the representative of Ittehadul Muslimeen party.</p>.<p>Political parties -- mainstream as well as separatists -- condoled the demise of the former Hurriyat chairman.</p>.<p>"Maulana Abbas Ansari sb lived a life dedicated to the cause of peace and Islam. An ardent advocate of unity who led a pious and a humble life. He leaves behind a rich legacy etched into the hearts and minds of people of Kashmir. Allah darjat buland farmaye (May Allah bless the soul)," Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.</p>.<p>The National Conference (NC) also condoled Ansari's death.</p>.<p>"Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Moulvi Abbass Ansari Sahab. May Allah grant him a place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and give his loved ones enough strength to bear the irreparable loss," the NC tweeted.</p>.<p>The Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat Conference said the amalgam is deeply grieved by the death of its former chairman.</p>.<p>"Throughout his life, he resolutely and unyieldingly advocated resolution of Kashmir conflict in accordance with the aspirations of its people," the Hurriyat said in a statement. </p>
<p>Former chairman of the Hurriyat Conference and influential Shia leader Maulana Abbas Ansari, considered a dove among the separatist hawks, died here on Tuesday. He was 86.</p>.<p>"Maulana (Ansari) breathed his last at his Nawakadal residence in the old city on Tuesday morning," a relative of the deceased leader said.</p>.<p>He said Ansari was not keeping well for the past couple of months and was hospitalized for some time in September.</p>.<p>Ansari was the last chairman of the undivided Hurriyat Conference which split into two factions soon after his election as the head of the separatist amalgam in 2003.</p>.<p>It was during the tenure of Ansari as the chairman of the separatist amalgam that the moderate faction -- which included the likes of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Professor Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone -- entered into talks with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.</p>.<p>Ansari had stepped aside from active politics and his son Masroor had replaced him in Hurriyat as the representative of Ittehadul Muslimeen party.</p>.<p>Political parties -- mainstream as well as separatists -- condoled the demise of the former Hurriyat chairman.</p>.<p>"Maulana Abbas Ansari sb lived a life dedicated to the cause of peace and Islam. An ardent advocate of unity who led a pious and a humble life. He leaves behind a rich legacy etched into the hearts and minds of people of Kashmir. Allah darjat buland farmaye (May Allah bless the soul)," Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.</p>.<p>The National Conference (NC) also condoled Ansari's death.</p>.<p>"Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Moulvi Abbass Ansari Sahab. May Allah grant him a place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and give his loved ones enough strength to bear the irreparable loss," the NC tweeted.</p>.<p>The Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat Conference said the amalgam is deeply grieved by the death of its former chairman.</p>.<p>"Throughout his life, he resolutely and unyieldingly advocated resolution of Kashmir conflict in accordance with the aspirations of its people," the Hurriyat said in a statement. </p>