A Legacy of Loyalty & Service – honouring the life of a local legend Bawa Mohammed Siddique
BYLINE: Gohar Almass Khan
The passing of Haji Bawa Mohammad Siddique Saab has left a silence in Leeds that words struggle to fill.
To many he was more than an elder – he was a father figure, a bridge between generations, a man whose life embodied duty, dignity and belonging. His absence is felt across the city because he lived not for himself but for those around him.
For over two decades I was fortunate to know him.
In my public role as Leeds councillor and Armed Forces Champion, I often stood beside him at civic and military events.
Yet my bond with him was more personal. He trusted me like a son, entrusting me on several occasions to write his speeches for significant events. That trust was his way of encouraging and empowering others – a quiet reflection of the faith he inspired.
“His message was constant – live with integrity, serve your community and country, be disciplined and loyal, and take pride in who you are.“
Bawa Mohammed Siddique’s father, Goolam Hussain (right), served in the British Merchant Navy during the Second World War.
Bawa Saab’s story cannot be told without remembering his late father, Goolam Hussain Bawa, who served with courage in the British Merchant Navy during the Second World War. His wartime letters remained treasured possessions, reminders of sacrifice and service.
For years, Siddique Saab fought to secure recognition of that contribution – finally succeeding in 2009 when the Ministry of Defence awarded his father a veterans badge. That victory was not only personal; it symbolised acknowledgment for an entire community’s overlooked sacrifices.
From that moment, Bawa Saab wore his father’s medals with pride. At Armed Forces Day, on Remembrance Sunday, at countless civic gatherings, he was always present, his grandson Zain often at his side.
That image of continuity touched many who saw it: remembrance was not for the past alone but a lesson for the future.
His loyalty was broad and unwavering. He never missed Pakistan Day or Independence Day ceremonies. For him, they were sacred occasions, intertwining his devotion to Pakistan, his solidarity with Kashmir, and his loyalty to Britain.
A proud Muslim, he was also a humanist in the truest sense – his friendships crossed faiths and cultures, his kindness extended to all.
What set him apart was his ability to harmonise identities.
He showed that being Muslim and British, Kashmiri and loyal to the Crown, could coexist with dignity.
He admired Her late Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family deeply, finding in their service a mirror of his own values of loyalty and honour. At the same time, he remained rooted in Azad Kashmir, with a love for horses, for kabaddi, and for the heritage that shaped him.
His funeral, carried out 11th September, was perhaps the clearest testament to his life.
One of the largest Leeds has seen, it drew mourners from every walk of life: the Consul General of Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with MPs, councillors, businessmen, shopkeepers, taxi drivers, and veterans. Restaurant owners, community leaders, neighbours and friends filled the crowd. The breadth of those who came spoke more than any tribute could: he had been a unifying presence, respected across divides.
For me, his legacy is bound to family and service. Coming from a line of soldiers myself, I found in his example the courage to encourage my own daughters, Miran and Maysoun Almass, to join the RAF cadets.
Today, as they serve with discipline in the 168 City of Leeds Squadron, I see in them the living thread of what Bawa Saab embodied: loyalty, honour and a spirit of service.
He never sought the spotlight, yet he illuminated every space he entered. He did not chase recognition, but constantly offered it to others, with warmth and encouragement. His life was not only about remembering the sacrifices of the past, but about inspiring generations to come.
His message was constant: live with integrity, serve your community and country, be disciplined and loyal, and take pride in who you are.
As Leeds mourns him, we also celebrate the lesson of his life: that our community is not an outsider in Britain’s story, but an integral part of it. His voice and presence urged us to honour that place with dignity and service.
To the young, his call endures: do not let his example fade. Carry it forward. Work hard, live with integrity, honour your elders, and serve both your heritage and your homeland. That is how his flame will remain alive.
May Allah, the Most Merciful, grant Haji Bawa Muhammad Siddique Saab Jannat al-Firdous, grant his family patience, and grant us all the strength to walk in his footsteps.
“Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.”
