In addition to his native Lucknow, he was popular all over India as well as in Pakistan, the Middle East, UK, US and Australia.

Maulana Athar Died on Friday, 26 February 2016 at Max Hospital Saket, New Delhi and Khatib-e-Akbar was buried in his home town of Lucknow at Karbala Imdad Hussain Khan, Rajajipuram beside his father's grave.

Thousand of his followers from all communities attended his last journey on Saturday, 27 February 2016 which originated from Karbala Dyanat ud daula, after his Namaz-e-Janaza led by another top Shia cleric Ayatullah Hameed-ul-Hasan.

Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Mr. Akhilesh Yadav was present on his funeral time along with other prominent members.

[1][2][3] His first death anniversary was observed on 26 February 2017 at Bada Imambada where a large gathering was present to pay their homage to the late Khatib-e-akbar.