Remembering Bashir Maan CBE
This morning the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), together with the Muslim Council of Scotland (MCS), mourn the passing of Bashir Maan CBE (1923-2019), aged 93 years old.
He was a pioneering and inspiring gentleman who was central in working for increased unity across Muslim communities not only in Scotland, but also across the UK.
He participated in the UKACIA, NICMU consultation process and the founding of the MCB in 1997, frequently paying for his own travel expenses to travel to/from meetings in cities and towns across the UK.
He was the Scottish representative on the MCB Executive Committee for several years and later following Scottish devolution, he was also instrumental in the founding of MCS in 2007, where he served as its first Convenor between 2007 and 2009.
Of Pakistani origin and emigrating to Scotland in the early 1950s, as well as a businessman, community worker and writer, he was also the first elected Councillor of the Muslim faith in the UK, having been elected to represent the former Kingston Ward in the City of Glasgow in 1970.
He also served as a Glasgow magistrate, District Court Judge, Deputy Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Chairman of the Glasgow Central Mosque Committee, Deputy Lieutenant of Glasgow, Convenor of Strathclyde Police Board and President of the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations.
His published books include “The New Scots: The Story of Asians in Scotland” (1992) which chronicles the history of the Asian diaspora in Scotland, as well as “The Thistle and the Crescent: a study of Scottish-Islam relations” (2008) and “Muslims in Scotland” (2015) which do the same for Scottish Muslim life.
He was a strong advocate for Muslims engaging with and playing their part in all aspects of civic life.
Bashir Maan receiving his certificate from Lord Provost Michael Kelly on his appointment as Deputy Lieutenant of Glasgow (1983)
Photo credits: Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning