Family pay tribute to father and key faith figure Fazal Awan

A daughter has reflected on the life and work of her father – a former chairman of Maidenhead Mosque – six months on from his passing.

Fazal Awan was also a founding member of the borough’s interfaith group, the Windsor and Maidenhead Community Forum (WAMCF). He died aged 92 in June.

Daughter Sarah Awan said it has taken the family these past six months to process the death of their beloved father and pay tribute to him.

“His passing had a big impact on us and we have been taking time to grieve,” she said. “However we didn’t want the year to end before giving him the obituary he deserved.”

Since posting their tribute to him online, she said the the family have received many ‘heart-warming’ comments in response.

Fazal started life in Pakistan, where he showed an early passion for education and being a guiding hand to young people.

This was a passion he continued, becoming a governor for many schools and colleges around Maidenhead and Windsor, with his governorship work spanning about 30 years.

Fazal was also instrumental in youth sporting events, including charity football matches, as part of his involvement in interfaith connection.

Young people could come to play sports, discuss problems and be guided by their elders.

“He would do all he could to make it integrated,” said daughter Sarah Awan. “He was always talking about peace and harmony between the faiths.

“He tried to explain what Islam teaches in a broad way – how they should respect other faith children.”

He settled in Maidenhead in 1978 and ran the Grenfell Road store and post office.

Later in life, Fazal served as chairman for the mosque for 19 years and dedicated much of his spare time to it.

He secured the freehold and a community centre for it – a ‘really big achievement’ for him – and enjoyed welcoming many visitors for open days, exhibitions and school trips.

“He was very active in the community – it was his driving force in life,” said Sarah. “He always wanted to try to better things for the wider community.”

Fazal was proud of his achievements at Maidenhead Mosque, improving facilities there and ‘opening it up, bringing it into the community.’

He was also involved int police advisory and crime prevention panels, as well as health campaigns, raising awareness particularly in Asian communities.

Fazal was well-known in the community by many, including Maidenhead MP Theresa May, who have also taken this opportunity to pay tribute.

“For many years when I was first the local MP, [Fazal] was always present at interfaith events,” said Mrs May.

“He understood the importance, not just of helping others to understand Islam, but also of working with other faiths to bring the local community together.

“He will long be remembered for his part in ensuring good community relations locally.”

Sajid Khan, general secretary of the Islamic Trust (Maidenhead Mosque) described Fazal as ‘a lovely man and a pillar of the community’.

“He always had time for everyone – and was loved by the community. He was passionate about helping people and it’s very sad to have lost him.”

He ‘legacy’ was that he grew the organisation – helping make it ‘much more professional and stronger than it was when he picked it up.’

Karnail Pannu, chair of WAMCF, remembers the beginnings of WAMCF.

“There were many barriers – cultural and language barriers – we broke them down and lived as one community. It was a great achievement,” he said.

“[Fazal] was a wonderful man who stayed active in the community throughout his life.”