President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam has condoled the passing away of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Syed Mir Qasim.

In a condolence message to Qasim's son Javed Hussein, the President said, "Syed Mir Qasim's role in the history of the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be remembered for long. A popular leader, he played an important role as a statesman who contributed to the affairs of the state and of the nation."