SCORES of people have gathered in Bradford to pay their respects to a revered spiritual leader.

Pir Syed Mahroof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi recently died following a prolonged illness.

Affectionately known as Pir Sahib, he was a pioneer of the Masajid movement, which began in Bradford, and went on to inspire the development of mosques throughout the UK and Europe.

Pir Sahib has sadly passed awayPir Sahib has sadly passed away (Image: UGC)

His funeral is being held this evening at the Bradford Central Mosque and the nearby Infirmary Fields, with the service expected to begin at 7.15pm.

More than 10,000 people are expected to be in attendance and several road closures have been put in place to ensure it runs safely.

Mourners gathering in the mosque Mourners gathering in the mosque (Image: T&A)

They are expected to be in place until around 9pm, but will be lifted as soon as is safely possible following the service.

The road closures 

  • B6144 Westgate from White Abbey Road to Drewton Road
  • White Abbey Road from City Road to Lumb Lane
  • Lumb Lane from B6144 White Abbey Road to Bowland Street 
  • Bowland Street and Gracechurch Street will be one-way to help the flow of traffic.

Touching tributes have been paid

In a statement, the Bradford and District Council for Mosques said Pir Sahib was a "revered spiritual leader whose influence and guidance touched countless lives in Bradford, the UK, and around the world". 

The coffin being brought into the mosqueThe coffin being brought into the mosque (Image: T&A)

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

"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."

Busy scenes within the mosqueBusy scenes within the mosque (Image: T&A)

A joint statement issued by Dr Kuldip Kaur Bharj, OBE, DL, of Bradford Gurdwaras; Ravinder Dharni, of Bradford Hindu Council; the Right Reverend Dr Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford; and Richard Stroud, OBE, of Bradford Synagogue, said: "As colleagues from different religious faiths in Bradford, we send condolences to our Muslim friends and colleagues following the sad death of Pir Syed Mahroof yesterday.

"We recognise the extraordinary pioneering contribution that he made to our city and district, and the deep loss that will be felt by so many people in Bradford and much more widely.

"You are in our prayers."