ADDIS ABABA, (HAN) — Sheikh Mufti Haji Omar Idris, one of Ethiopia’s most respected Islamic scholars and a long-serving leader of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Council, has passed away in Addis Ababa, officials and religious sources confirmed.
Sheikh Omar Idris was widely regarded as a unifying figure among Ethiopia’s Muslim community and played a vital role in guiding religious education, interfaith dialogue, and community development for decades. He dedicated much of his life to promoting peace, tolerance, and the proper understanding of Islam throughout the country.
As head of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Council, Sheikh Omar worked closely with scholars, community leaders, and government representatives to strengthen cooperation between religious institutions and the state. His leadership helped shape the direction of Islamic affairs in Ethiopia and earned him deep respect both at home and across the Horn of Africa.
Funeral prayers for the late scholar were held in Addis Ababa, where hundreds of worshippers, religious leaders, and public figures gathered to pay their respects. Many described him as a man of wisdom, humility, and unwavering faith.
Tributes have poured in from religious organizations, scholars, and community members across Ethiopia and abroad, remembering Sheikh Omar Idris as a tireless servant of Islam whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant him eternal peace.
