Maulana Mirza Mohammad Athar was an Indian Shia Muslim cleric. He was the son of the late Moulana Mirza Mohammad Tahir. Mirza Athar was born in Lucknow and was educated at Sultan-ul-Madaris, where he graduated with Sadr-ul-Afazil, and Lucknow University, where he obtained a masters in Persian Literature. In 2008, he completed fifty years of continuous Muharram recitation in Mumbai. In addition to his native Lucknow, he was popular all over India as well as in Pakistan, the Middle East, UK, US and Australia. On 23 January 2005, he was elected first president of All India Shia Personal Law Board. Maulana Athar Died On Friday, 26 February 2016 at Max Hospital Saket, New Delhi and khatib-e-akbar was buried in his home town of Lucknow at Karbala Imdad Hussain Khan, Rajajipuram beside his father's grave. Thousand of his followers from all communities attended his last journey on Saturday, 27 February 2016 which originated from Karbala Dyanat ud daula, after his namaaz e janaza led by another top shia cleric Maulana Hameed-ul-Hasan. Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Mr. Akhilesh Yadav was present on his funeral time along with other prominent members. The day of Sunday, April 3, 2016 saw again a great gathering from all across India & world to witness his majlis-e-tarhim. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at Bada Imambara to pay their homage towards late khatib-e-akbar with prominent personalities like Mr Rajnath Singh, current defence minister, Govt. of India, Mr. Syed Sibte Razi, former governor, Jharkhand among others. The majlis was addressed by noted shia scholar of Pakistan, Allama Tassaduq Hussain. He was well-known Shayar-e-Alhebait, but he was not openly discussing about his writing skills. The 1stdeath anniversary was observed on Sunday, 26 February 2017 at Bada Imambada where a large gathering was present to pay their homage to the late Khatib-e-akbar. UP governor Mr Ram Naik addressed the majlis & remembered his memories. Pakistani poet Rehan Azmi also addressed the majlis with his nazran-e-aquidat towards the late khatib-e-akbar. The majlis was addressed by Maulana Shahenshah Hussain Naqvi of Pakistan.
