Tributes paid after death of caring community leader
ABRISTOL campaigner who was dedicated to raising awareness of organ donation in Muslim communities has died following complications caused by Covid.
Amjid Ali, from Stapleton, died at the age of 53.
At the age of 20, Mr Ali suffered kidney failure and spent 23 years on dialysis waiting for a transplant before receiving a kidney from his nephew in 2011.
Two years after his transplant, Mr Ali arranged a national conference attended by 56 community leaders and Imams across the UK to talk about organ donation among Muslim communities.
In 2019, a ‘fatwa,’ or legal document for Muslim communities, was launched, permitting all forms of donation including blood, stem cells, living donation and organ donation after death.
Colleagues said that he was “integral” to the Muslim community and that he “held many communities together”.
Mr Ali contracted Covid-19 on August 27 and was admitted to Southmead Hospital on September 2. He died on September 17.
His daughter, Sophia Iman Ali, wrote on Twitter: “We just wanted to let everyone know about the passing of one of the kindest, most resilient and caring people we have all been blessed to know.
“My father passed away on 17th of September. Beloved husband of Lubna Ali. Beloved father of Sophia Iman Ali. Beloved brother of Liaqat Ali, and sister Naseem Akhtar.”
She later told the BBC she was proud to have had him as her role model and inspiration.
“Dad was someone who continuously gave us strength after years of him enduring mental and physical
pain,” she said.
“Having him around brought not only smiles but peace to our hearts.”
Mr Ali’s wife, Lubna Ali, and his sister, Naseem Akhtar, said: “There is a hole in both of our hearts and nothing will ever fill that.”
Mr Ali was an adviser to Avon and Somerset Police, and also helped to found the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society [BMCS].
Family friend and BMCS member Rizwan Ahmed told the BBC Mr Ali was a “pioneer”.
“He was a voice for the community who brought about a positive change. He will leave a huge hole in the city that we will struggle to fill,” he said.
Alex Raikes, strategic director of charity Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI), said Mr Ali was “serious about making things better for others”.
She said: “For SARI, Amjid was a friend, ally, mentor and guide. An incredibly humble man who would resolve any conflicts between faith groups in the city and believed in unity.”