LONDON: Rich tributes were paid to veteran British-Pakistani politician Bashir Maan who passed away in Glasgow on Friday morning aged 93.
Born in 1926 in Qila Didar Singh, a town near Gujranwala city in Pakistan, he was elected as a councillor from Glasgow way back in 1970.
Bashir was the first Muslim politician to be elected to an office. Bashir completed his school education in Qila Didar Singh before moving to Labour where he worked as a clerk. He was also part of the Pakistan’s independence struggle from 1943-1947.
After the patrician in 1947 he moved to the UK in 1953 and lived in Scottish city of Glasgow all his life.
Before becoming a councillor he also served as a Justice of Peace for Glasgow, the first Asian & Muslim to be appointed in that position.
Subsequently he was elected as councillor from Glasgow city in 1970 on Labour Party’s ticket.
A party he represented for the next 33 years till he left Labour in 2004 over parties misleading Iraq War policies.
Such was the significance of his victory that then Indian High Commissioner wrote a letter to congratulate him on this achievement and marked the occasion proud and happy as he was the first immigrant to be elected as councillor in Scotland. Bashir Maan was also the first British-Pakistani to stand in a general elections in 1974 from East Fife.
He was a life-long advocate of Human Rights and community cohesion, in the recognition of his services towards race relations, community work and as a volunteer he was awarded CBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the Queens New Year’s honour list in 2000.
He was also the president of Islamic Centre Glasgow and a Convenor and founding member of Muslim Council of Scotland and played an instrumental role to encourage young Muslims to join political parties and play an active role in local politics. Leading the tributes was leader of Scottish National Party Nicola, who in her massage described Bashir as a “Tale blazer” and a “Role Model”.
Paying her condolences to the bereaved family she said, “Bashir Maan was a trailblazer and role model in the Scottish Muslim community. Above all he was a thoroughly decent man - although we were in different parties he was a source of good advice to me in my early days in politics. My condolences to his family”.
Scotland’s Justice Secretary Hamza Yusuf describes Bashir Maan’s demise a sad loss.
In his massage Hamza, member of Scottish Parliament said, “Sad to hear about passing of Bashir Maan. We didn't always agree but he encouraged me & other Scots-Asians to play their part in Scottish civic life”.
Leader of the Glasgow City council Susan Atkins describes him a dedicated serving to the city of Glasgow.
“Bashir Maan was a trailblazer for Muslims and BAME people in public life, and a dedicated servant to the city of Glasgow. His role in planning and building the Central Mosque - which it’s now hard to imagine life in Glasgow without - is among his many legacies,” said Susan Atkins in her message.
Glasgow city council paid tributes to his contributions towards society. In a massage shared on social media the city council said, “We are sad to learn of death of former Bailie Bashir Maan, UK’s first Muslim councillor. Mr Maan contributed greatly to civic life as an influential Pakistani/Scottish politician”.
Muslim Council Britain describes him as pioneering and inspiring gentleman who was central in working for increased unity across Muslim communities not only in Scotland but also in The UK.
In a statement issues by Muslim Council of Scotland, spokesperson of Bashir Maan’s family said, ”He was a giant of community and we are touched by love shown for him. To us, he was just a dad and a grand dad and we ask to be given the space and time to mourn his loss”.
Hundreds attended his funeral parquet which was held at Glasgow Central Mosque after Friday’s prayer. Later on his body’s was laid to rest in Linn Cemetry, Castlemilk on the outskirts of Glasgow city.