Bedford Imam dies at the age of 80

Imam Mir Irshad Ali has died at his home at the age of 80.

Known as the Imam to many - Imam Ali was born in Hyderabad, India in 1940. And he first came to Bedford in 1978.

His son, Talib Ali, said: "My father started a children’s Sunday school in our dining room soon after we moved here, but such was the demand for religious instruction in English we soon needed more space and started to use a room at St Mary’s Church on Church Lane."

He said they soon outgrew St Mary’s and moved to Putnoe Heights Church.

In his 50s, Imam Ali threw himself into his community work. And over the course of the next 25 years became the Muslim Chaplain at Bedford Hospital, the Muslim Chaplain at Bedford Prison and at Yarlswood Detention Centre. He organised and led Friday prayers for many years at the Bedford English Study Centre, Bedford Modern School and Bedford School.

He was also the first person in Bedford to insist that women should have exactly the same access to Friday prayers and Eid prayers as the men.

And was the first to insist the Friday sermon be delivered in English so that everyone could understand and benefit from it.

His son added: "He took part in numerous interfaith meetings with the Bedford Council of Faiths and his unique ability to explain Islam correctly and in a straightforward way meant he was invited to many meetings and to sit on committees at the council, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire and Luton Fire Service and the ambulance service."