The death of one of Derby's early Muslim spiritual leaders who was involved in the construction of the city's first mosque. The mosque was built in the 1960s in a terraced house on Dairyhouse Road with assistance from Qari Ismaeel Khandia. 

As the first Imam there, he devoted his life to the community and to Islam before rising to prominence as a teacher and leader at the bigger Derby Jamia Mosque in Rose Hill Street. Derby Jamia Mosque chairman Nazir Hussain described him as "a pivotal person and a pivotal leader in the community."

Mr Hussain added: "Being an Imam, the people must trust you. He gained so much trust because of his personal characteristics and his Islamic knowledge.

"The mosque on Dairyhouse Road was initially the only one in the city so he was very active in the community, leading and helping with all the prayers.

"He also supported us opening the second mosque at Rose Hill, helping with purchasing the land and providing his guidance and Islamic teaching."

His funeral, or Janazah, was held on Monday evening at the Derby Jamia Mosque.

Mr Hussain said: "He was our first Imam and he was a very nice humble person.

"People would go to him for both religious and personal guidance. He was a pivotal person and a pivotal leader in the community.

"He was a very sincere person and he was here during a time where there were elements of disunity and he brought the community together.

"Because of his humble nature and the respect in the community people would look up to him and listen to what he has to say."

In a post on Facebook, the Derby Jamia Mosque said his support and leadership were integral in the setting up their four masjids - Derby Jamia Mosque, Dairyhouse Road Mosque, Village Street Mosque and Porter Road Mosque.