Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq, who was killed in a bomb attack at the Darul Uloom Haqqania, was laid to rest on Saturday. His brother, Rashid-ul-Haq, was unanimously appointed the seminary’s deputy administrator.

According to a statement issued by the Darul Uloom Haqqania, thousands attended Hamid-ul-Haq’s funeral in Akora Khattak on Saturday morning.

Maulana Rashid-ul-Haq addressed the gathering after the funeral and said that his brother had sacrificed his life for the country. However, he expressed determination that the seminary’s mission would continue undeterred.

Religious scholars, politicians, and members of the civil society attended the funeral. Hafiz Muhibullah Shakir, Consul General of Afghanistan in Peshawar, also attended the funeral and offered condolences to the bereaved family.

Darul Uloom Chancellor Maulana Anwar-ul-Haq also led a prayer for the deceased and thanked those in attendance.

A dastar bandi was also organized to appoint Hamid’s son, Hamid-ul-Haq Sani, to succeed his father’s political office.

A bomb blast ripped through the Darul Uloom Haqqania just after Friday prayers. According to the police, the attack was a suicide bombing targeting Hamid-ul-Haq who was exiting the mosque after leading the prayer.

Haq was the deputy administrator of the seminary, one of Pakistan’s oldest and well-known, and was the head of the JUI-S since 2018.

At least five other people were killed in the attack and twelve injured. The attack was strongly condemned by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and political and religious leaders from across the political spectrum.