From Sunniforum: (If anyone has more information on this ‘alim, please do submit it)
In New Zealand we have Maulana Bashir Ahmed Diwan (DB) who ‘s in his 80′s. He started his studies at Madressa Jamiah Islamiah Talimuddin Dabhel and for his final year, he went for Daura Hadith at Darul-Uloom Deoband in the 1940′s and has Ijazah in Hadith from Shaykhul-Ul-Islam Hadhrat Maulana Sayyed Husain Ahmed Madani Rahmatullahi Alaihi. He was a sathi of the great Muballigh and golden voice of Tabligh, Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad Umar Palanpuri Rahmatullahi Alaihi.
He was in Fiji and served the muslim community there from the 1940′s to 2000, around 55 years and has been in New Zealand for the last 12 years and Masha-Allah, is still serving the muslim community.
He was Pesh Imam of Jame Masjid Suva, Fiji since it opened in 1965 till 2000 (35 years) when he came to New Zealand.
Through his hikmah, a lot of the bid’ah that was prevalent in the muslim community in Fiji was wiped out. An interesting incident, the day Maulana Bashir Ahmed Diwan (DB) arrived in Fiji, the local muslims invited him for a Milad programme. He says that if on that day he spoke out against milad, bid’ah, Barelvi etc, he would have been on the next ship back to India.
He has students that are now in Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada.
The most qualified ulooma to ever come to Fiji Islands. Maintained unity among Fiji Muslims, established the first madrasa in Fiji where hundreds of molvi’s graduated and are serving in Fiji and abroad. He leads salaah with patience and respect. The only ulooma in Fiji who has spent thousands of hours for tableegh in Fiji. I was fortunate to have him as my teacher. May Allah SWT give Hazrat Maulana saheb a long and healthy life for all he has done for the ummah.
We wont see such ulooma for many years to come.