Sparkhill: Tributes paid to ‘father figure’ councillor

Cllr Mohammad Fazal died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Friday morning (March 18)
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Tributes have been paid following the death of Cllr Mohammed Fazal – described as a “legend and father figure” and “one of the kindest souls”.

Cllr Fazal (Lab, Sparkhill) was one of the first British Kashmiri councillors on Birmingham City Council and colleagues have expressed admiration for how he encouraged many to get involved in politics.

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He served from May 1987 to May 1995 and then again from May 2002 to now – and was most recently a member of the sustainability and transport overview and scrutiny committee.

He died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham on Friday morning (March 18).

Tributes from Cllr Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment

Cabinet member Cllr Waseem Zaffar (Lab, Lozells) said: “On behalf of my Birmingham Labour colleagues I would like to pay tribute to Councillor Mohammed Fazal.

“Cllr Fazal dedicated nearly 30 years of his life to the service of the communities of Birmingham as a councillor. He will be much missed, and the thoughts of all of us are with his family at this difficult time.

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“He was a first-generation British Kashmiri who worked very hard to bring up his family as well as support the local community.

“As one of the first Kashmiri-origin councillors in Birmingham, he encouraged many from across Birmingham to participate in mainstream politics and serve their communities.”

Cllr Mohammed Fazal (Lab, Sparkhill) Cllr Mohammed Fazal (Lab, Sparkhill)
Cllr Mohammed Fazal (Lab, Sparkhill)

Tributes from Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council

Council leader Cllr Ian Ward (Lab, Shard End) tweeted: “So sad to learn of the death of my friend and Labour colleague Cllr Mohammed Fazal.

“A good man who served the people of Birmingham for almost 30 years. My thoughts are with his family and friends at such a sad time.”

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Cllr Fazal’s ward colleague Cllr Nicky Brennan (Lab, Sparkhill) described him as “one of the kindest souls I have known”.

She tweeted: “He cared deeply about Springfield (now the ward of Sparkhill) and supporting the people who lived there. My thoughts and prayers are with all that loved him.”

Tributes from Tahir Ali MP, Cllr Mahmood and other Labour friends

Cllr Majid Mahmood (Lab, Bromford and Hodge Hill) said Cllr Fazal “always guided us” and that he “will never forget his valuable advice. A legend and father figure for all of us”.

Tahir Ali MP, MP for Birmingham Hall Green, described Cllr Fazal as a “brilliant councillor and a champion for his local community” and said “he will be sorely missed by many”.

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Labour Friends of Kashmir tweeted Cllr Fazal was “one of the nicest men you would ever meet and a dedicated campaigner for the rights of Kashmiris”.

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