PUNE: Mehrunnisa Dalwai (88), the wife of rationalist Muslim leader Hamid Dalwai, passed away at her residence in the city. She complained of uneasiness on Thursday morning but she breathed her last before she could be admitted to hospital. Dalwai was residing in her flat at the Krushnakunj Apartment near Pulgate.

Hamid Dalwai was the Founder-President of the Muslim Satyashodhak Samaj Mandal(MSSM). She is survived by two daughters Ila Kambli and Rubina Chavan and their respective families. She had pledged her body. Her mortal remains will be kept for the supporters to pay their respect at the Saneguruji Hospital near Hadapsar on Thursday evening.

Mehrunnisa, born on May 25, 1930 in Pune, got married to Hamid Dalwai as per the Islamic customs. However, both of them registered their marriage soon after the traditional wedlock. She remained active and participated in the activities of the MSSM till her last moment. She founded the Hamid Dalwai Islamic Research Institute.

On May 3, she participated in a programme held in remembrance of the Late Hamid Dalwai, when widows and divorcées from across the religions shared their challenges and difficulties. Mehrunnisa remained President of MSSm for nearly 10 years after the death of Hamid Dalwai, said MSSM president Shamsuddin Tamboli. She had penned her autobiography 'Mee Bharun Pavale', which is filled with rich anecdotes of her life with her husband.

Mehrunnisa actively participated in the campaigns run by the MSSM. She took active part in rallies and agitations demanding that the order of the Supreme Court in Shahbano case be implemented. She participated in the rally 'Talakh Mukti Morcha' demanding the abolition of customs such as triple talaq, polygamy and Halala.