Fazal Hussain

“To a loving Father and a community activist who put the needs of the community as a whole, before his own.”

Fazal Hussain came to England in the late 50s, first to London where his three children were born, before moving to Fir Vale to join relations. His remaining four children were born here. He undertook a variety of jobs to support his family here in the UK and also his remaining family in Pakistan. His final position was as a welder for Firth Browns Steelworks on Savile Street, from where he was made redundant in 1984.

Next he took up a range of voluntary roles, including Chair of the local Mosque. He soon realised the need to establish a centre for the most vulnerable in the community, and he played a major role in setting up the Pakistan Advice Centre.

Establishing the Advice Centre as a sustainable organisation proved quite a feat, as challenges were made, first to its abilities, and then through cuts in Council funding, where the smallest organisations were the first to close. Fazal Hussain organised petitions, lobbies and demonstrations to defend the Centre, and with the help of clients and community workers the advice centre was saved, against all the odds.

The Pakistan Advice Centre received the Legal Services Commission Quality Mark for General Advice in 2003 and the Quality Mark for advice with case work a year after.

Many have paid tribute to the work of Mr Hussain, including Councillor Steve Jones, who said:

“He was a friend of mine and I feel honoured to have known him and to been befriended by him in return. He will leave a massive hole in the local community. His strong beliefs, faith and commitment are irreplaceable and we will all miss him hugely.

“Such utter dedication to local people and their wellbeing is something we could do with more of and Mr. Hussain was one of the best. Myself and my colleagues Ibrar Hussain and Jackie Drayton send our condolences to his family and friends.”

A tribute to Fazal Hussain from his children.

Fazal’s daughter Gulnaz paid her respects on behalf of the family, saying:

“He had a very intensive and heightened sense of justice and fairness. He shunned the limelight, wanting to achieve not for himself but for the whole community. Our Dad wanted dignity in all he did.

“As a family we are overwhelmed and humbled by the support and kind words from so many people. We take comfort from the words of the people who knew and were touched in many ways by our Father. Reaffirming the contribution he made to so many peoples lives.

“Our Dad was a fair and honest man and ‘said it as it was’.

“The work that he has started and established will be taken forward by those he shaped.

“Those who touch the hearts of so many are never forgotten, a hero to all who knew him”.

A tribute to Fazal Hussain from his children.