Described as “one of the brightest stars in the British Muslim community”, tributes have been pouring in to mourn Dr. Shabir Akhtar who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63.

Dr Akhtar, a well-known poet and philosopher,  rose to national prominence as a spokesperson for the Bradford Council for Mosques during the Rushdie affair, The Telegraph and Argus reported.

During the period, he debated with the likes of Ian McEwan, Melvyn Bragg and Michael Ignatieff. 

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Imran Khan, the President of Bradford Council for Mosques, said: “We are extremely saddened by the sudden and sad death of Dr Shabir Akhtar.

“Dr Shabir was a man of exceptional intellect and prowess.

“His death at a relatively young age is an enormous loss to the Muslim and the wider intellectual community.”

“Dr Shabir served Bradford Council for Mosques throughout the Rushdie Affair which was perhaps one of the most difficult episodes in the life of the Muslim community.

“His intellectualism and astuteness will be greatly missed.

“We pass on our deepest heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Accomplished Scholar

Dr Akhtar was an accomplished scholar of comparative religion, being fluent in Arabic, Greek and Hebrew.

He spent the last years of his life in Oxford where he taught at the university. He also wrote and published several books on Islam in the modern world.

“A man of an exceptional intellect who went on to inspire many through his groundbreaking writings,” Ishtiaq Ahmed said.

“For me, the loss is even greater for he was a dearest friend and an intellectual inspiration.

“Together, we enjoyed our intellectual excursions over many years. 

“Along with an exceptionally brilliant mind, he had an absolute command of the English language and the sharpness of wit to go with it, making him an outstanding orator and debater.

“His traits came through during the infamous Rushdie affair when he became the intellectual voice of the British Muslims. 

“Bradford has lost its foremost son, I have lost a friend.”

Close friend Dr Atif Imtiaz added: “Dr Shabbir Akhtar was one of the brightest of his generation of British Muslims.

“A poet and philosopher, he was one of a kind.”