Date Posted: Monday, August 08, 2005

Renowned Islamic scholar Ahmed Deedat passed away Monday morning.

DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 8 (MASNET & News Agencies) - Sheikh Ahmed Deedat, founder of the Islamic Propagation Center International, passed away Monday after a long struggle with illness.

Deedat, who was bedridden after suffering a severe stroke in 1996, died this morning at the age of 87.

He fell ill shortly after a trip to Australia.

Deedat was also the only South African recipient of the King Faisal Award for his service to Islam, which he received in 1986.

Known particularly for his work on comparative religions, Deedat was the founder of the Islamic Propagation Center International (IPCI), the largest Islamic dawah organization in the world, reports al-Jazeera.

He published more than 20 books, and distributed millions of copies and audiotapes free in the hope of spreading knowledge. Deedat's debates have been translated into various languages in video and DVD format. He also delivered thousands of lectures throughout the globe.

"It is on this solemn occasion of his demise that we salute the courageous spirit and phenomenal work of this world-renowned personality, a hero of the Muslim world, nay, a true hero of believers all around the globe," a statement from IPCI said.

His career in comparative religion involved him in dialogue with the heads of the Protestant church in America and the late Pope John Paul II, reports al-Jazeera.

In the 1980s, Deedat was known for his debates with the priest Jimmy Swaggart and had been refused entry to France and Nigeria on the grounds his opinions might cause civil unrest.

As head of the ICPI, he was critiqued by some as being controversial due to lectures on Christianity and Hinduism.

Babu Jadwat, an IPCI trustee, explained why Deedat was controversial, reports the South African Independent Online.

"Ahmed was the reaction to an aggression by the worldwide church against Muslims. He was successful because he was an outstanding scholar and this resonated throughout the world."

"From America to Indonesia, he is regarded as a person who made tremendous contributions and sacrifices for Islam," said Jadwat.

In his later years, Deedat could not talk or move after the stroke. He taught himself to communicate by blinking his eyes, reports Independent Online.

Deedat's son Yousuf said his father became seriously ill three weeks ago, the online news agency reports.

"My mother Hawa and I were with him when he passed away," he said.

"He suffered cardiac arrest and kidney failure, but his kidneys were working again a few days later and we thought he would be fine.

"We didn't expect this to happen so soon."

Deedat was born on July 1,1918, in the Surat district of India.

He immigrated with his father to South Africa in 1927 and settled in Durban, where he will be buried later on Monday.