Nida-e-Mashriq founder Abdul Rashid passes away

Srinagar, Mar 7: Senior Kashmiri journalist and Chief Editor of the Urdu daily Nida-e-Mashriq, Abdul Rashid Shah, passed away in Srinagar early Saturday after a protracted illness. He was 78.
Born in June 1948 in Chinkral Mohallah, Habba Kadal, in old Srinagar, Shah was a respected figure in Kashmir’s journalistic circles and served the profession for several decades. He was widely known for his thoughtful editorials that often reflected the sentiments and concerns of the people of Kashmir.
Shah began his career in journalism with the Urdu daily Alsafa, where he worked as a part-time editor. In 1992, he resigned from his job at the State Information Department and founded Nida-e-Mashriq, which soon carved out a niche among Urdu newspapers published from Srinagar.
During the turbulent years in Kashmir, Shah also faced serious challenges. In 1995, he was among three journalists abducted from the Press Enclave in Srinagar by counterinsurgents.
In April 2001, Shah was part of the media contingent that accompanied the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his official visit to Iran.
For many years, Shah’s editorials conveyed the voice of a sensitive Kashmiri, reflecting deep concern over the gradual disempowerment of his native land. In his later years, he largely remained away from public life due to health issues.
Shah’s demise has been widely mourned in journalistic and social circles across Kashmir, with many describing his passing as a significant loss to the media fraternity.
He is survived by his daughter and son, Haroon Rashid, who currently serves as editor of Nida-e-Mashriq.
Shah, widely respected in journalistic circles, was remembered by colleagues and members of the media fraternity across the region as a senior journalist who made a valuable contribution to the growth of Urdu journalism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Director Information and Public Relations, Nitish Rajora has expressed deep grief and sorrow on the demise of noted journalist and Chief Editor of Nida-e-Mashriq, Abdul Rashid Shah who passed away today after a brief illness.
In his condolence message, the Director described late Abdul Rashid as a respected figure in Kashmir’s journalistic circles who served journalism for decades. He extended his deepest condolences with the bereaved family and prayed peace for the departed soul and forbearance for the family to bear this loss.
The Employees of Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) also expressed grief on the sad demise of noted journalist Abdul Rashid Shah.
The employees remembered his association with the Information Department and remembered him for his exemplary contribution to the field of journalism. The employees described his death as a significant loss to the media fraternity of Kashmir.
The employees also extended their deepest condolences to the family members of Late Abdul Rashid and prayed peace for the departed soul and patience for family to bear this irreparable loss.
Employees of the Joint Directorate of Information (JDI) Kashmir also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of noted journalist and Chief Editor of Nida-e-Mashriq, Abdul Rashid Shah.
In this regard, a condolence meeting was held at the Joint Directorate of Information Office which was attended by Joint Director Information Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari; Deputy Director Information, Mohammad Rafiq Zulla; Cultural Officer Kashmir and other officers and officials of the department.
In his condolence message, the Joint Director Information described the death of Abdul Rashid Shah as a significant loss to the media fraternity of Kashmir. He extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and patience for the family to bear this irreparable loss.
The employees of JDI Kashmir also expressed grief over the sad demise of the noted journalist. They recalled his long association with the Information Department and remembered him for his dedication and exemplary contribution to the field of journalism.
President of the Press Club of Kashmir, Mohammad Saleem Pandit, has also expressed deep grief and sorrow over Shah’s passing.
Members of the Press Club offered prayers for the departed soul and extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, wishing them strength to bear the irreparable loss.