TRIBUTES have been flooding in following the death of Akbar's founder Shabir Hussain.
On Wednesday morning, it was announced Mr Hussain, chairman and CEO of Akbar's, had sadly passed away at the age of 56.
The chain began in 1995 with just a small 28-seat restaurant in the heart of Bradford.
There is now a total of 10 Akbar's restaurants across the North, Scotland, and the Midlands.
These will now be closed until 5pm on Friday, October 18.
'A huge loss to the world of business'
Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, said Mr Hussain exported the best of Bradford's curry scene throughout the country.
She said: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Shabir Hussain, founder and CEO of the Akbar's group in Bradford.
“A huge loss to his family and the world of business not just in Bradford but across the UK as his brand reached many cities.
“His entrepreneurial triumph was exporting the best of Bradford’s curry scene throughout the country.”
“Someone who we will all miss dearly. My prayers and thoughts are with his family, friends, and all the staff and colleagues at his restaurants.”
Praise from fellow Bradford-born Indian restaurant
Bobby and Minal Patel, of Indian restaurant Prashad, which began life in Bradford and is now based in Drighlington, were keen to thank Mr Hussain for his help during their rise in the industry.
They said: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to an industry leader and friend.
"Shabir, chairman and CEO of Akbar's, was always there for Prashad.
"He helped us when we needed it the most.
"He had the golden touch and inspired an industry to push forward and grow, helping many restaurants along the way."
They said they were in "awe of his drive and vision".
"We pray for his soul to have eternal peace. Om Shanti," the tribute added.
Community answers
Pay your tributes to Akbar's founder Shabir Hussain
"A space to pay tributes to Akbar's founder Shabir Hussain who has sadly died aged 56"
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Share your tribute hereWat a legend may Allah forgive him and grant him high abode he had time for everyone and a contagious smile mashallah r.i.p brother gone but legends never die ur work and love lives on
Share your tribute hereMay Allah swt grant you the highest rank in Jannah Al fidous🤍🕊️. My Condolences to his family and friends. Forever will be missed.
Share your tribute hereSuch sad news. Some lovely memories of taking my young family to the first restaurant and following his business progression. He and his staff were always so welcoming and made time to greet you when and where ever he saw you m
Share your tribute hereHe was a decent human being. I had the opportunity to share a table with him at the last Afra awards ceremony in London. We had very good business discussions. He will be missed by the business community. My thoughts are with the family and friends. My his soul rest in peace. Ameen
Share your tribute hereSuch a lovely person he's going to be missed by so many folks in the Bradford Community Rest In Eternal Paradise Condolences to the family 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Share your tribute hereVery sad news, another legend has gone and this time from the restaurant industry. Shabir always took the time to speak to me when we met in the Leeds Road Akbars, we always had a laugh, he was a true gentleman and I will miss him as will a great many of his loyal customers. A great man and a totally awesome curry chef. God bless.......From your Scottish friend and curry fanatic.......
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Another Birthday at Akbars........ Share your tribute hereShab was very good friend of my Aunty son Munir Ghani I got to know him when Akbars first opened up in 90’s Shab was one in a million guy a dimond to Asian community and others community to he would go that extra mile to help anyone everyone yes he had everything respect money good business but what I liked about him he never showed off he treated everybody with respect never looked down to anyone last time I spoke him saw him was at Leeds Road Akbars branch he saw me thru the window waved at me and came out to speak to me 😊 May Allah SWT 🤲🤲🤲 Grant highest rank in jannah ul FIRDOUSE Ameen 🙏🙏🙏 Gives his Family Saber .
Share your tribute hereAte regularly at Akbars in Bradford, now living in Scotland so eat in Glasgow now. Condolences to his family at this sad time
Share your tribute hereAllah swt mughferat atta farmaye RIP Chief ameen
Share your tribute hereSorry to hear such sad news.Thinking of all the family at this sad time I will always remember you at Akbars in LeedsRoad, I always knew you as Bash. Always welcoming RIP
Share your tribute hereI na lilahi wanna illayhe rajeoon. What a class act and very nice humble gentlemen. He always had time for you no matter how busy he would be and genuinely took an interest in whatever you had to say. I just can't imagine going to the Leeds Road Akbars and just not seeing him there.!! I last spoke to him alone at the Yorkshire Clinic when he had just had an MRI scan. May Allah the Almighty grant him the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus. You will be sorely missed brother!
Share your tribute hereGoodbye dear friend thankyou for the wonderful times we shared in egypt you will be missed and missed by Bradfordians untill we meet again ❤️
Share your tribute hereInna lillahi wa inna iayhi rajioun. May Allah make his journey back to him easy and wish all his family my sincere condolences.
Share your tribute hereMeet Sabir many times in Akbars (he would always do me the mixed grill starter, even when they took it off the menu) we also had many a conversation about Dubai and his interests in the UAE. RIP Sabir thoughts & condolences to his family and friends.
Share your tribute hereR.I.P. Went to school together, great guy who provided great evenings for all in his restaurant
Share your tribute hereI met him at Starbucks rooley lane Bradford. He was looked quite smart full of life. Then I heard bad news about his health. And today he is not with us. So many people will miss him. Very friendly personality. Almighty Allah bless his soul peace in havens. Aamin
Share your tribute hereInna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun
Share your tribute hereGoodby to a good friend and neigbor we had some great times with you and your family over the years. May you rest in peace, and condolences to your family
Share your tribute hereRIP … remember when the Leeds road was one room. Always knew you as “Bash’ Akbars won’t be the same without you …
Share your tribute hereInna lilahi wa inna illahi rajeoon. Chief you was a great man and a great inspiration when I used to work for you over 17 years ago in Manchester. What a guy and lovely aura. Your food was amazing and you will be missed.
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This wad my birthday party with my sister to my left and my two so s Share your tribute here'Inna lillah hee wa inna ilaiyji wa rajiun. "Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we return." May the most high negate his sins and magnify his good deeds! Shabir was the third scion of Bradford's Kashmiri restaurant trade to pass away recently. Bradford has lost another great businessman, philanthropist and all round humanitarian who contributed hugely to the city in such a positive way!
Share your tribute hereSending prayers and condolences to the family and all his work colleagues in their loss. You’ve all lost a great man whose left a great legacy. Gone but never forgotten RIP Shamir
Share your tribute hereIt is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to an industry leader and friend. Shabir, Chairman and CEO of Akbars was always there for Prashad. He helped us when we needed it the most, he had the golden touch and inspired an Industry to push forward and grow, helping many restaurants along the way. Kaushy and Mohan treated him like a son and we as a family are in awe of his drive and vision. We pray for his soul to have eternal peace. Om Shanti 🙏🏼
Share your tribute hereInna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun. Brother Shabbir was a great kind human I came across. Always welcoming with a genuine smile. He will always stay in our hearts ❤️ . May their Soul rest in peace and Allah swt grant them the highest place in Jannat ul Firdous . Aamen 🙏
Share your tribute hereSuch sad news. I pray his family will be surrounded by love and support and that those entrusted with his legacy forever honour him. Condolences too to his Mangers and staff many of whom were with him from the start.
Share your tribute hereShabir was an inspiration to many and a lovely soul. Verily we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Allah grant you the highest ranks in Jannah.
Share your tribute hereVery sad day, what a man always welcoming was one of his very first customers, and he became a great friend R.I.P Shabir Hussain
Share your tribute hereBrother Shabir set new heights for all Asian restaurant owners. The last memory of him was when he popped in to a brothers restaurant where I help out just before they opened their Blackburn branch. He gave us his time and gave us great advice. May Allah swt grant him Jannatul ferdous.
Share your tribute hereAmjad Akhtar Halifax Brother Shabir may Allah grant them the highest rank in Jannah was a true gentleman and a Legend and a very humble guy. He would meet you with up most respect . Very Sad news and a Big Loss to the Local Community. MAY ALLAH grant his family Sabar and make it easy for them. Ameen
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AKBARS RESTAURANT Share your tribute hereI use to see bhai shabeer drive up Leeds road in his Ferrari and watch his vidoes great man he was and it’s very devastating news that’s he’s gone so soon ❤️
Share your tribute hereHow sad, May you Allah accept all your lovely efforts in the community & may you have a lovely peaceful grave. Ameen.
Share your tribute hereWas fortunate to go to the first restaurant from day one a very likeable man who always had time for every one RIP
Share your tribute hereWhat a wonderful soul. An aspiration and talent to every man and woman who met him. Gone too soon. We will miss you Shabir, your beautiful charisma witt and charm. God bless you.
Share your tribute hereHe was always helpful. And always happy to see people. A Bradford legend. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
Share your tribute hereInna lillahi wa inna iayhi rajioun. May Allah swt forgive his sin, make his grave a garden from Jannah and grant him Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. Sad news to hear and wish all his family my sincere condolences.
Share your tribute hereOne best guy I’meet earlier 1995 and very humble nice guy Shabz
Share your tribute hereThis is devastating news, so sad. Sincere condolences to the family at this difficult time.
Pay your tributes to Akbar's founder Shabir Hussain
A space to pay tributes to Akbar's founder Shabir Hussain who has sadly died aged 56
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