Australia's top Islamic cleric has died following a long battle with cancer. The Islamic Council of Victoria confirmed on Wednesday morning that the Grand Mufti Abdul Azeem al-Afifi has passed away. 'The Muslim community has lost a great leader,' the organisation said in a statement. Senior Muslim clerics had asked their followers to pray for al-Afifi as he had fallen into a coma, Daily Mail Australia reported last night. The sheikh was appointed to the Sunni Muslim leadership position just four months ago. His death could spark a fierce political fight in the Muslim community. Grand Mufti of Australia Abdul Azeem al-Afifi (right) has died. He fell into a coma recently Senior cleric Waseem Razvi had asked for prayers 'for his health and recovery' on Monday. Islamic community official Muaz Al Haj had confirmed the preacher was in a coma 'after years of fighting cancer'. Sheikh al-Afifi replaced Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed in the position in March after a six-year term. Dr Mohamed was in the role for six years and was criticised by commentators for speaking Arabic, rather than English, during his public appearances. Both men were born in Egypt. Sheikh al-Afifi, who is based in Victoria, has been outspoken about the 'disease' of terrorism. Members of Sydney's Muslim community are seen praying during Ramadan The sheikh only recently replaced Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed (above) He announced upon his appointment: 'As Mufti I strongly stand against any kind of terrorism. 'We want to keep our country, and all countries, safe and secure.' The process that resulted in Sheikh Afifi's appointment sparked dissension in the Islamic community. Daily Mail Australia understands some delegates had expected another candidate to be appointed. Calls to the Australian National Imams Council were not returned.<doc-sep>"Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi had been widely recognised and respected by the Australian Muslim community and the wider Australian society." "Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi has dedicated himself to serving the Australian Muslim Community for over 20 years," the Australian National Imams Council said in a statement. Only four months after being appointed Grand Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi has died. Credit:Facebook Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Azeem al-Afifi, who died in a Melbourne hospital before dawn on Wednesday, is being remembered as a "great catalyst" who brought people together. The sheikh, a founding member of the council, was only elected as Grand Mufti in March. He had been ill for some time. Australian Multicultural Foundation executive director Hass Dellal said the Grand Mufti was a "great person" with his youth work and promotion of Australian Muslims' contributions to leave "a lasting legacy". "He was really a very genuine person and was really respected by many Muslims and the wider Australian community. It [his death] was a shock even though we had known he was ill," Dr Dellal OAM said. "He will be sorely missed not just by Australian Muslims. He was a great catalyst and brought people together and that was his real strength."<doc-sep>Thousands of mourners have paid their respects to Australia's top Islamic leader, a day after his death in Melbourne. Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Azeem al-Afifi, 48, was farewelled by about 3000 people on Thursday during a service at Al-Taqwa Mosque in Truganina, where he had been a teacher. About 2000 friends, family and colleagues then attended his burial at Fawkner Memorial Park. The sheikh died in a Melbourne hospital before dawn on Wednesday, after battling cancer. Islamic Council of Victoria executive director Nail Aykan told AAP the sheikh often quoted a hadith, (a saying), of the Prophet Muhammad: "The best of you are the ones who are most beneficial to others". This summed up the sheikh's impact across Australia as a community builder, Mr Aykan said. "He represented good Australian values and good Australian citizenship." Top Muslim leaders from across the country attended the service as well as a throng of locals. "A lot of ordinary citizens turned up because he was a grassroots person," Mr Aykan said. "As mufti, that's why he was popularly elected because people knew of him." While the sheikh's passing was sad, Mr Aykan said Muslims were philosophical about death. "It's only a transition to another life. We'll all be reunited in the hereafter." He said the sheikh was of Egyptian background but was proud of his identity as an Australian Muslim. The sheikh was a founding member of the Australian National Imams Council and was elected grand mufti in March. The council executive committee will act in the role of mufti of Australia until a meeting is held within 15 days to determine a new leader.<doc-sep>
The Grand Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi, has died in Melbourne after being elected to the role only four months ago. Loading He is being remembered as a leader committed to working with the nation's youth. Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi had a clear idea of his top priorities when he took over as Grand Mufti of Australia just a few months ago. "I'll be very happy if I can do something to save our kids and to keep them away from any bad ideas," the Grand Mufti said at the time. "It is our duty to work hard to stop any harm and to keep Australia safe and secure, because we're all one family and we have to help each other and work together." Announcing his death this morning, the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) said the Grand Mufti had "dedicated himself to serving the Australian Muslim Community for over 20 years." He was one of the founding members of the council and had served two terms as its president. Mr Dellal, the executive director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, said the Grand Mufti was also well known for his engagement with the wider Australian community. Grand Mufti of Australia Mufti Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi ( Facebook: ANIC "He worked tirelessly in the mosques and also out in the community, particularly with young people and also with the general community, with the elderly," he told The World Today. "He was really a catalyst for building bridges and he was really greatly admired for a lot of the work he did, particularly with young people." Mr Dellal described Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi as a very positive person who was concerned with building relationships. "Where there were misunderstandings, he wanted to correct that; he would bring people together to have those discussions, whether they were Muslim or non-Muslim," he said. The ANIC says its executive committee will perform the responsibilities of the Mufti of Australia until an emergency executive committee meeting is held within 15 days. The council will then elect a new Grand Mufti.