Aagrah founder's daughter on restaurant owner's legacy

Haji Mohammed Sabir MBE, founder and chairman of the Aagrah brand, died on Saturday at the age of 84.

He was not only known for creating the UK's largest Kashmiri restaurant chain but his charitable acts across the UK and Pakistan.

He donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to important causes throughout his life.

Many of those donations were made in memory of his son Sajid Mahmood, who died in 1983 at just nine years old.

Thousands of people attended Mr Sabir’s funeral at Jamiyat Tabligh-ul-Islam Bradford Central Mosque on Westgate.

The sight of so many people honouring Mr Sabir’s life was something that made the Sabir family feel “immensely proud”.

All the halls were full at Bradford Central Mosque, as well as the gallery and lobby, Janaza Announcements said (Image: Janaza Announcements) Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Noorie said: “The T&A have witnessed my father’s journey right from day one when Shipley first opened. My dad was a very proud man. He was very proud of where he came from. He just wanted to share that with everyone.

“When it came to giving and helping people he came from a very poor background, he wanted to share what he could with those who didn’t have much. That’s shown by what he’s done and what he’s left behind. We’ve had calls from people we don’t even know telling us how he helped them through their darkest days. He was always willing to help anyone who approached him.

“When it comes to the restaurant, Aagrah, it was a team effort. My mum, my dad, set up the first in Shipley. He knew what he wanted. He was very clear about what he wanted to serve and present. Most of the dishes were created by my mum from what she knew growing up and my dad had this vision.

The first Aagrah branch in Shipley (Image: Other) “Even to this day every week we put something aside for charity. That’s in every single Aagrah branch.”

Reflecting on the funeral, Noorie said: “So many people I didn’t know - because I’m my dad’s daughter - came to offer their condolences. It just goes to show how far his reach was, who he was and what he did.”

The early days of the Aagrah in Shipley Speaking about her father’s legacy, she added: “Give to those who need it. That’s what it’s all about. I can speak for my wider family, growing up, being part of the Aagrah family, everyone’s always known we’re a very charitable family. That’s all down to my dad and making sure our feet are still grounded. Wealth comes but you have to have responsibility. You’ve got to give something back.”

Mohammed Sabir, owner of the Aagrah, receiving the vegetarian trademark in 1987 Mr Sabir, who moved to Bradford to work in the city’s mills, first opened a mobile takeaway in his cherished Commer Van, known as the Spice Pot, in 1976. 

Mr Sabir started the business while continuing his day job as a bus driver, working 18-hour days to get the business up and running.

After being given the chance to borrow £20,000 by a Barclays Bank manager who travelled on his bus route, he opened the first Aagrah branch in Shipley.

“He wanted quality,” Noorie said.

Haji Mohammed Sabir MBE in 1982 outside the first Aagrah restaurant - the year he received the vegetarian trademark (Image: Other) “He wanted it to be as fresh as possible and for it to be a home cooked meal. He didn’t want it to be like it was the 100th or 50th dish coming out. He was very meticulous about that.”

Since then Mr Sabir and his brother Mohammed Aslam, the group's managing director, built the business into the giant it is today. 

Mr Sabir, pictured when work at the new restaurant in Shipley was underway But Noorie said one of the proudest moments in her father’s life was being given an honorary degree from the Leeds Metropolitan University, now Leeds Beckett.

“He left school when he was 13,” Noorie said.

“He just knew he wanted to do something for himself, hence when he bought the Spice Hut and the Aagrah branch. He came from nothing.

“He was determined to make something for himself and his family. His family meant everything to him, his parents, his sisters and brothers. Family was ‘it’. That’s what that man lived for.”

Mr Sabir was buried at Scholemoor Cemetery - with hundreds of people in attendance - over the weekend.

Prayers are continuing to take place at the mosque.