Over 1,500 mourners gathered in Bradford earlier this month to pay their respects to a ‘local hero’ who passed away at the age of just 33.
People from as far away as Oldham, Birmingham and Preston attended the funeral at Al-Hikam Institute, on Wednesday 21st September, to remember Syed Sharaz Ali Shah – also known as Shah Gee.
The dedicated charity worker sadly passed away on Sunday 18th September, leaving behind three sons and a daughter all under the age of eight.
Mr Shah suffered from breathing problems and died during a major operation on his heart at Leeds General Infirmary.
A committed volunteer for many charities, Mr Shah was described by friends as always being ‘the first to put his name down for charity work’ – whether that was car washes, feeding the homeless, Dates4Syria, graveyard clean ups or even helping at the local Mosque Al-Hikam Institute day and night.
Towards the final couple of years of his life, Mr Shah was committed to ‘Khidmat’ – or ‘service to others’ – one of his biggest passions.
Imam Muhammad Asim Hussain said: “I’m in absolute shock as to his sudden departure from this world.
“We’ve lost a very good brother, friend and family man. This man had a heart of gold, he was so funny, he used to make people smile.
“He left a mark of goodness on anyone he met. Now, he’s no longer with us.”
His long-time friend, Nazim Ali, added: “Syed was a legend of a man with a smile that would brighten anyone’s day.”
Throughout his short life, Mr Shah had undertaken a range of volunteering work for charities across the UK, described as ‘always having a hi-vis vest in the car, ready for any work that came his way’.
During the last few months of his life, he helped out at the Scholemoor Graveyard clean up where he dedicated much of his time to returning the graveyard to its former glory.
A year ago, he went on the SKT Convoy to France and Belgium to support the refugees out there.
Mr Shah worked around the clock supporting SKT Welfare Trust, collecting food donations and driving one of the vans.
Adil Shaan, another of Mr Shah’s close friends, said the local community had lost an ‘amazing person’
“Words fail to express exactly how I am feeling now that Syed has gone,” he said. “He was the most amazing person I have ever met and was always willing to go above and beyond for anyone.”
He added: “He was a man that had everyone in stitches. He was a pillar of the community and he was friends with everyone.”
