Controversial Shia Muslim leader and former chairman of UP Shia Central Waqf Board, Waseem Rizvi on Monday embraced Hinduism.
Rizvi, known for making controversial statements targeting the orthodox Wahabi Sunni Muslim organisations, declared that following his death, his body should not be buried but cremated according to the traditional Hindu ritual.
The UP Shia Central Waqf Board chief was converted to Hinduism by Mahant Narasimha Ananda Sarawati of the Dasna temple in Ghaziabad. Wasim Rizvi is presently the elected member of the UP Shia Central Waqf Board. As per the provisions of the Waqf Act, only a Shia Muslim can be member of the UP Shia Central Waqf Board.
In his will, Rizvi declared that his pyre should be lit by Hindu seer Narasimha Ananda Sarawati of the Dasna temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district. In November 2021, Rizvi had released a video, in which he was heard saying that his body must be handed over to Mahant Narasimha Nanda Saraswati and he should light his pyre.
Waseem Rizvi has earned the ire of his entire community after he challenged 26 'ayats' of Quran and then claimed to have written a new Quran. In May 2021, Rizvi kicked up a major controversy by claiming to have created a ‘new Quran’ by removing 26 verses.
Rizvi had also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to authorise the use of his ‘new Quran’ in all madrasas and Muslim institutes in India.
“I appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include this new Quran in the education curriculum of various madrasas and Muslim education institutes across the country. This redacted version of the Quran is the right Quran and it will soon be available in the market for people to buy,” Rizvi had said.
Earlier, Rizvi had moved the Supreme Court appealing it to remove 26 verses of the Quran, saying that they promoted terrorism and jihad. The apex court had dismissed the petition saying it was “absolutely frivolous”.
Rizvi had also praised the historic Supreme Court verdict that paved the way for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Rizvi has also written a book on Prophet Mohammed.