TRIBUTES have poured in for the longest-serving trustee of the Worcester Muslim Welfare Association.

Ali Asghar, a member of the city’s Muslim community for more than 60 years, has died.

A first-generation migrant, he arrived in the UK with his father and close relative in the early 1960s.

Mohammed Iqbal, general secretary of the WMWA, said Mr Asghar “laid the foundations” of the community.

“As well as being a faithful member of the community he tried his best to positively change the community and ensure its success by engaging with local politics, charities and many other organisations,” Mr Iqbal added.

“He was always socially active in all circles. 

“Ali and his family were very generous donors to our charity and helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years.

“To this end, he will be dearly missed and a great loss to the community.

“We pray that Allah Almighty bestows his mercy on him and all the original founders that helped to lay the foundations of the WMWA.

“We owe our success because of the struggles of these hardworking individuals.”

Mr Asghar’s Janaza (funeral) was held today, Wednesday, February 8, at Worcester Masjid.

Among those in attendance was the city’s former MP, Mike Foster.

He said: “I am honoured to have been invited to speak at the funeral of our dear friend Mr Ali Asghar this afternoon.

“A real gentle soul, he gave so much to our city and the local community.

“He will be missed by so many.

“Thoughts and prayers with his family.”

Waqar Azmi first met Mr Asghar, of Victoria Avenue, when he was appointed as chief executive of Worcestershire Racial Equality Council in 1996, of which Mr Asghar was a founder.

Dr Azmi said: “We became good friends. I always valued his wise advice, mentorship, and encouragement. I will forever be grateful to him.

“He was a great man who was loved and respected by all for dedicating and sacrificing his whole life in a voluntary capacity in the service of the community.

“The impact of his selfless and relentless hard work over the last 40 years has been huge in both Worcester and Worcestershire on the lives of thousands of people.

“He was one of the strongest voices for the voiceless, standing tall for the rights of disadvantaged communities, fighting for those who were racially discriminated, those racially attacked or harassed and working always for the betterment of the community.”