The funeral of Britain’s oldest Muslim scholar Shaykh Abdul Qayyum was held after his death at age 103. The beloved Imam of Makki Masjid in Handsworth died at Walsall Manor Hospital, his funeral was held at Birmingham Central Mosque.
A father of six, the Imam was a key fixture in the Muslim community for over 25 years. After moving to Handsworth in 1990 he worked with the Mosque in areas such as community integration and crime prevention.
“As Muslims we need to make communities not break. Our religion should speak volumes through our behaviour and tolerance to all,” he once said.
Hafiz Amjad, secretary of the Makki Masjid, praised the late figure saying, “Tonight it is not only Makki Masjid which is mourning, it is the entire world who has lost one of its last hidden gems. We thank him for all of his efforts.”
Shaykh Muhammad Ahshraf, the chairman of Makki Masjid also stated, “We cannot thank him enough for his contribution to our community. He was simply irreplaceable and our mosque is his legacy.”
Shaykh Abdul Qayyum leaves behind his wife, four sons and two daughters.
