Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, who was killed in Afghanistan on Friday, shall be laid to rest at the Jamia Millia Islamia, the university clarified in a state today. The mortal remains of the photographer is expected to arrive at New Delhi Airport from Kabul by Air India flight at 5:50 PM.
"Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Vice Chancellor accepted the request of the family of late photojournalist Danish Siddiqui to bury his body at the JMI graveyard meant exclusively for university employees, their spouses and minor child," the university said. Funeral prayers are expected to be conducted at Jamia Middle School.
An ex-student of the campus, Siddiqui completed his masters at AJK Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC) between 2005-2007. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by MCRC in 2018. His father, Akhtar Siddiqui, was also the Dean of the Faculty of Education.
"Danish was one of the brightest stars in our hall of fame and a proactive alumnus who kept returning to his alma mater to share with students his work and experiences. We will miss him deeply but are determined to keep his memory alive," the Officiating Director of AJK MCRC said.
Friends, neighbours and media fraternity gathered outside Siddiqui's residence in Delhi. (Photo by Zafar Abbas)