Tributes paid to 'figurehead' for city's Muslims

Syed Mahroof Shah was described as a "pioneer" in the UK's Muslim community

Tributes have been paid to a figurehead of Bradford's Muslim community after his death at the age of 88.

Syed Mahroof Shah helped to found the Bradford Council of Mosques, which on Thursday described him as a "revered spiritual leader" in the city, "the UK and around the world".

Thousands of people are expected to turn out for his funeral on Friday. He had been suffering from a long illness.

Pir Sahib, as he was affectionately known, was credited with helping to set up an organisation which developed and managed 18 different mosques.

In a statement announcing his death, the Bradford Council of Mosques Executive said he was a "pioneer" of the Masajid movement, which began in the city and influenced the development of mosques throughout the UK and Europe.

The funeral of Pir Sahib, as he was affectionately known, will take place on Friday

It added: "His vision and dedication laid the foundations for a stronger, more connected Muslim community, fostering spiritual growth and unity.

"His presence was a constant source of inspiration and his contributions to to our community will be deeply missed.

"Thousands of his followers found solace and direction in his teachings and his absence leaves a void that will be felt by all who knew him."

Writing on her Facebook page, the MP for Bradford West, Naz Shah, also paid tribute, describing Pir Sahib as a "towering figure who always gave me time".

She said: "He was an instrumental leader who brought together not only the local Muslim community in Bradford but many across this country.

"His efforts to the local community are unmatched and will be remembered for generations to come."

Community organisation the Khidmat Centre described Pir Sahib's death as the "passing of a religious icon".

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, the organisation said he had left an "indelible mark on the spiritual and religious landscape of the Muslim world."

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