'Inspirational' Blackburn community pioneer dies aged 90
10:00pm Saturday 11th August 2012 in News
AN ‘inspirational’ Asian community pioneer who fought with British troops in the Second World War has died.
Khadim Hussain, 90, died on a trip to his native Pakistan for Ramadhan.
He was a former president of the Randall Street Mosque in Blackburn and also ran the Pakistan Welfare Association in the town.
The father of five, of Burlington Street, featured in a Blackburn Museum exhibition recently about Second World War fighters.
His friend, former Blackburn mayor Councillor Mohammed Khan, said: “He was very well known and very well respected. Everyone who knew him said what a great man he was.
“He was most proud of fighting with the British Army in Italy.”
Mr Hussain led the way to get South Asian War Veterans recognised for their efforts during the Second World War and had become involved in Remembrance Day Parades and sharing the stories of war with the young people of Blackburn and also with fellow British servicemen.
Coun Khan said his friend hated far-right organisations like the BNP and EDL.
He said: “He was a very very proud man. He fought shoulder to shoulder with the British Army. He hated the fact that the BNP targeted immigrants like him, when he was so passionate about the country.”
Mr Hussain, a former textile worker, came to Lancashire in 1960. He died in Jhelum, Pakistan last week.
Amar Abass, CEO of Youth Action, had helped Khadim and other South Asian War Veterans to share their stories with the young people of Blackburn with Darwen through a number of projects. He said, “Mr Hussain was an inspiration to the young people that he spoke to, and everyone at Youth Action salutes his efforts during the Second World War. I am proud to have known Mr Hussain and I know his stories and legacy of the war will continue to live on”.
Working closely with Mr Hussain since 2006 to document his story and to raise the profile of South Asian War Veterans living in Blackburn over 230 school workshops has been delivered to share the experiences through the project ‘Mutual Respect’ which produced a DVD for young people to listen to the views and opinions of the Veterans.
Paul Flintoff, Chairman of Youth Action said: “Mr Hussain was an exemplary member of the community who had an untold story. Working with us over the past six years we have come to know and admire his efforts during the War. He was a true ambassador for the community and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
Comments(14)
Darwen Malc
says...
11:40pm Sat 11 Aug 12
DGower
says...
12:20am Sun 12 Aug 12
mavrick
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10:07am Sun 12 Aug 12
So when you read or hear the bile and poisonous ignorant venom being spouted by these people just spare a thought for people like Khadim. Just see the right wing scum for what they are. R.I.P Khadim
Maybe we should have a war memorial for these brave people who helped us.
nil bye mouth
says...
10:23am Sun 12 Aug 12
mavrick wrote:Tut tut mavrick from the comment you have just made it seems that you are the one who is spouting bile,poisonous ignorance in your description of the edl/bnp and on a comments section for a dead man you should be ashamed of yourself.
I wonder what the local members of the Edl or Bnp have to say. It was great people like this man helped Britain win the second world war. without them and many other people of different colours and faiths giving their lives we would have been over run.
So when you read or hear the bile and poisonous ignorant venom being spouted by these people just spare a thought for people like Khadim. Just see the right wing scum for what they are. R.I.P Khadim
Maybe we should have a war memorial for these brave people who helped us.
caballo
says...
10:41am Sun 12 Aug 12
mavrick wrote:Not the place for political point scoring.
I wonder what the local members of the Edl or Bnp have to say. It was great people like this man helped Britain win the second world war. without them and many other people of different colours and faiths giving their lives we would have been over run.
So when you read or hear the bile and poisonous ignorant venom being spouted by these people just spare a thought for people like Khadim. Just see the right wing scum for what they are. R.I.P Khadim
Maybe we should have a war memorial for these brave people who helped us.
R.I.P Mr Hussain
RUinsane
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12:27pm Sun 12 Aug 12
ste.g
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1:01pm Sun 12 Aug 12
RUinsane wrote:me to.sympathies to the family
RIP Mr Hussain, and a massive thankyou from all in this country who benefited from your bravery and commitment to defend this great nation from its enemies.
sen c ble
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2:24pm Sun 12 Aug 12
johnley
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7:06pm Sun 12 Aug 12
10:07am Sun 12 Aug 12
I wonder what the local members of the Edl or Bnp have to say. It was great people like this man helped Britain win the second world war. without them and many other people of different colours and faiths giving their lives we would have been over run.
So when you read or hear the bile and poisonous ignorant venom being spouted by these people just spare a thought for people like Khadim. Just see the right wing scum for what they are. R.I.P Khadim
Maybe we should have a war memorial for these brave people who helped us.” here we go again
johnley
says...
7:08pm Sun 12 Aug 12
mavrick wrote:sorry,, hear we go again,, give it a rest mavrick
I wonder what the local members of the Edl or Bnp have to say. It was great people like this man helped Britain win the second world war. without them and many other people of different colours and faiths giving their lives we would have been over run.
So when you read or hear the bile and poisonous ignorant venom being spouted by these people just spare a thought for people like Khadim. Just see the right wing scum for what they are. R.I.P Khadim
Maybe we should have a war memorial for these brave people who helped us.
Ex_Darwen_Tech
says...
7:53pm Sun 12 Aug 12
jack denials
says...
11:42am Mon 13 Aug 12
Shadows of those heroes they may be now, but they remain fiercely proud of the sacrifices they made more than 60 years ago to help Great Britain stay free of Nazi tyranny.
I did a little research on Khadim Hussain and in a previous interview he mentioned;
"My father served in Queen Victoria’s Regiment in the First World War," says Hussain. "He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. So it was only natural that when war came again, I volunteered to serve. I was just 16."
What a hero to us all...A family dedicated to protecting the flag.
May you rest in peace Mr Hussain. To his children - you should be very proud of the sacrifices your father and your grandfather made for this country
kim
says...
7:01pm Mon 13 Aug 12
RIP
Darwen Malc says...
11:40pm Sat 11 Aug 12