Idrisov Umar Yusipovich (January 1, 1954, Gorky — 2020) was a religious figure and one of the founders of organized Muslim life in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. From 1993 to 2008 he served as chairman of the DUMNO), deputy chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the European Part of Russia (DUMER), co-chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia (CMR), and plenipotentiary representative of the CMR in the Volga Federal District. In his later years he served as chairman of the DUMNO Council of Elders and president of the Imam Abu Hanifa Foundation.[1]
Education and Early Career
After completing secondary school, Idrisov Gorky and served in the Soviet Army. In 1980 he enrolled at the Mir-i Arab Higher Islamic Madrasa in Bukhara, where he completed the seven-year program with distinction as an external student, and in 1987 he graduated from the Tashkent Islamic Institute named after Imam al-Bukhari.[1]
In 1988 he was actively involved in the restoration of the Cathedral Mosque, which had been returned to Muslims following the Soviet period. In 1999 Idrisov became a laureate of the Nizhny Novgorod Prize.[2] From 1991 he served as imam-khatib of the Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral Mosque.[1]
Construction of Islamic Educational Institutions in the Nizhny Novgorod Region
Under Idrisov's leadership, construction of the Makhinur Nizhny Novgorod Islamic Madrasa was completed in 1994: on October 29, 1994, the institution opened in a dedicated building adjacent to the Cathedral Mosque and welcomed its first students.[1] In 2001 he initiated the construction of the Tauba Mosque in Avtozavodsky District of Nizhny Novgorod (construction had begun in 1999), and also became general director of the Volga charitable residential home.[1] On his initiative, the Faizkhanov Research Institute was established in 2005, and the Islamic Cultural Center opened in 2006.[1]
Scholarly and Journalistic Activity
From 1997 he was a professor at the International Slavic Academy of Sciences, Education, Arts and Culture. Idrisov was a co-author of the books "History of Islamic Communities of the Nizhny Novgorod Region" and "Council of Ulema," as well as the author of hundreds of articles in periodicals and scholarly collections. Among his books is "Bukhara Memories. 20 Years of Serving as Imam," along with works devoted to the history and religious heritage of the Nizhny Novgorod Muslim Tatars.[3][1]
Awards
In May 2003 he was awarded the highest decoration of the Council of Muftis of Russia — the Al-Fakhr Order, Second Class. In November 2008, at the Fourth Kurultay of delegates of the clergy and parishioners of the mahalla parishes of Nizhny Novgorod and the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Idrisov relinquished the chairmanship of DUMNO in order to devote his time to scholarly and public activities; at the same gathering he was elected chairman of the DUMNO Council of Ulema. In December of that same year he was appointed official representative of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims to the Foundation for the Support of Islamic Culture, Science and Education.[2] In July 2004 he was awarded the Order of Friendship. Umar Idrisov passed away on the night of November 7–8, 2020, from complications caused by coronavirus infection. He was buried at the The Cemetery in Fedyakovo.[2][1]
Sources
- new.dumrf.ru — Idrisov Umar Yusipovich (1954–2020)
- names52.ru — Idrisov Umar Yusipovich — Before entering the Islamic madrasa, Idrisov worked as a taxi driver. (archive)
- muslim.ru — A Loss for the Entire Ummah. Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin Offers Condolences on the Passing of Umar-Khazrat Idrisov — Among Idrisov's books is "Bukhara Memories. 20 Years of Serving as Imam"…