UPDATE - Turkish president mourns over death of Islamic scholar

UPDATES DECK, LEDE, ADDS TURKISH PRESIDENT'S REMARKS, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's president on Sunday attended the funeral service of prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac, who passed away on Friday.

The service was held in Istanbul's Fatih Mosque, where the scholar provided Islamic education for more than six decades.

At the service, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences over the loss of the renowned scholar of Hadiths, or records of the deeds and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.

Saying that he had known Sarac since his school years and had "benefited greatly" from his teachings, Erdogan added that he wished to reunite with the late scholar in the hereafter.

"Our teacher was always at the forefront of Islamic scholarship," Erdogan said, adding that he believes Sarac’s students will continue his teachings "with the same understanding."

Besides the president, senior Turkish officials and bureaucrats also attended the funeral, held at around 2 p.m. local time (1100GMT).

Earlier, in a condolence message, Erdogan said he was "deeply saddened" by Sarac’s passing.

"We will always remember with respect, benevolence, and prayer our esteemed teacher, who raised hundreds of students in the country and abroad throughout his life, which he devoted to the correct explanation and living of Islam," he added.

The president also conveyed his condolences to the 92-year-old scholar’s family members, students and loved ones.

On Friday, Erdogan said on Twitter, "I wish Allah's mercy to our valued Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac,” praising his “great efforts for divine consent at every stage of his life."