Former President of the Supreme Council of Ethiopian Islamic Affairs, Grand Mufti Hajj Umar Idris, has passed away.

The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs of Ethiopia announced in a statement that the First Mufti, Haji Umar Idris, has passed away after undergoing medical treatment for an illness.

The Supreme Council said in a statement: "The passing of the First Mufti, Haji Umar Idris, who was the father of our country and the leader of all, is a source of grief for the entire people of our country."

"Our country has lost a great father," the council said, adding that "the Supreme Council is taking responsibility to ensure that this great father's funeral is held at the state level in accordance with Islamic rites, in a manner befitting the national and religious contributions he made."

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has expressed his sorrow over the passing of the First Mufti Haji Omar Idris, former President of the Supreme Council of Ethiopian Islamic Affairs, in a message posted on his social media page.