KUALA LUMPUR: Famed Quran teacher and religious personality, Tan Sri Hassan Azhari, died of lymphoma cancer at 5pm today at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL).
He was 90.
His son, former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, confirmed the matter.
Musa said his father’s remains will be brought to their family residence in Persiaran Keramat Hujung before burial.
“My father passed away around 5pm at the HKL.
“To my understanding, he will be laid to rest at the Shah Alam Royal Mausoleum in Persiaran Kayangan, Seksyen 5, Shah Alam, Selangor upon the decree of the Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah,” he said when contacted.
Hassan was admitted to HKL last Sunday after he was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma cancer.
He was widely regarded as ‘Malaysia’s favourite Quran teacher’, due to his long run on RTM’s Muqaddam television programme in the 1970s.
Hassan was also given the honour of reciting the ‘azan’ (Muslim call to prayer) during Malaysia’s independence on Aug 31, 1957.
He also recited the azan at the opening of various iconic mosques, including the National Mosque in 1967; Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque, Shah Alam; Kapitan Keling Mosque in Penang; and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.
Hassan served as a judge on the annual Tilawah al-Quran competition for 46 years.
His three sons are all public personalities, including Musa, former Hulu Klang state assemblyman Datuk Fuad Hassan, and screen legend Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan.