Pioneer and ‘pillar of the community’ Moosa Ebrahim Jangaria dies aged 83

Mr Jangaria lived in Lancashire for most of his life and passed away on Tuesday December 15. He was buried a day later at Pleasington Cemetery.

Mr Jangaria came to the country in 1961 and began working in the cotton mills like many other immigrant workers. He had travelled from Bombay to Cairo and then on to the UK.

The family said right up until his death he continued to assist people with advice over the phone.

In last 6 years both his son and wife died but he had remained strong by doing what he could to support everyone. He was looked after by his close family, most specifically his daughters Zubeda and Yasmin.

Family and friends from across the UK, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Saudi Arabia have tribute to him.

The family said, “We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and sharing such lovely tributes. He will be missed by everyone."

Community worker and activist Faz Patel paid tribute to his grandfather who he described as a ‘mentor and friend’ who always looked after his family and those who were in need across the world.

Faz said, “I am sharing some very very sad and devastating news for me on a personal level. By the Taqdeer and Qadr (destiny) of Almighty Allah my beloved Nana Marhoom Haji Moosa Jangaria (Rahmatullah Alayh) has gone into the Rahmah of Almighty Allah and passed away and has started his journey of the hereafter.

“May Allah Rabbul Izzat grant him Maghfirah and a high abode in Jannatul Firdows. May Almighty Allah grant us close and dear ones Sabr Jameel upon losing him, Ameen ya Rabbal A’lameen.

“My Marhoom Nana was very close to my heart. He showed immense love and compassion to us all.

“My family members often say that I have been spoilt by him due to his extreme expressions of love to me. He was a very humble individual who was always ready to assist people in any way possible. He was loved by all and was a pillar in the community.”

Speaking as part of a Lancashire Cotton Mills project Mills Mr Jangaria recalled, “At the beginning we had a £6 wage. I got a job in Preston and spent the first six months working in textiles. The highest wage at that time was £15.

“In Lancashire and here in Blackburn there were many factories. If you finish work here you get the job straight away. I didn’t like to work in textiles so I got a job in Mullards (an engineering firm).

“The difficulty was there was no transport from here to Simonestone. So I bought a scooter and then a car.

“Blackburn houses were very cheap. If you pay £40/£50 deposit you could get a house. I bought a house here and I called my wife and children over. After two years they came here.

He told of visiting the local council for the first time about burials, “We went to the council about the cemetery and a mosque for our children. We went to the town hall. We said we want a cemetery. They said why? You have only been six months in this country – why do you want a cemetery? We said well some person died so we can bury them here. They gave us 18 per cent grave space in Blackburn cemetery.”

He also recalled life in those first few years, “There was only one man who come from Preston to deliver all the Asian food. It was also difficult for wife and children who could not speak English. So, they learnt it a little bit.

“When I came Blackburn for the first time there were only 16 or 17 Asians (Indian community) in the town.

“There were people living in one house. Six or seven people living in one house sometimes on £6 wages and you would pay £1 rent, spent £1 on food and the rest of the money they sent to India.”

The family said they would like thank the volunteers from his mosques, Blackburn Muslim Burial Society and the council for their support.