Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, a prominent Muslim leader and activist who co-founded the Muslim Institute and the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain, has died at the age of 86. His life was marked by a commitment to civil rights, interfaith dialogue, and social justice.
Early Life and Education
Born near Meerut, east of Delhi, in pre-partition India, Ghayasuddin was the son of Muhammed Saeeduddin, a civil servant, and Batool Fatima. The partition of India in 1947 was a traumatic experience for his family, who resettled in Sukkur, now in Pakistan. He and his brother adopted the surname Siddiqui.
After attending a local school, Ghayasuddin earned a degree and master's in chemistry from Sindh University in Jamshoro in 1962. He taught chemistry in Karachi before securing a place at Sheffield University in the UK to pursue a PhD.
Arranging Malcolm X's Visit
Arriving in Sheffield in 1964, Ghayasuddin soon became assistant secretary of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies. In this role, he organized the visit of Malcolm X to Sheffield University in December 1964. Ghayasuddin would later recall praying together with Malcolm X at the student union before the lecture that evening.
Co-founding the Muslim Institute and Muslim Parliament
After completing his PhD in 1970, Ghayasuddin married Talat Anis, also a teacher, and they moved to Corby, Northamptonshire, to teach at local schools. In 1973, he co-founded the Muslim Institute with Kalim Siddiqui (no relation). In 1978, the family moved to Chesham, Buckinghamshire, so that Ghayasuddin could join the institute in London as a full-time staff member.
In 1992, he and Kalim co-founded the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain. Following Kalim's death in 1996, Ghayasuddin became director of the institute and leader of the Muslim parliament. He also helped establish the Halal Food Authority in 1994 and British Muslims for a Secular Democracy in 2006.
Advocacy and Civil Disobedience
As leader of the Muslim Parliament in 1996, Ghayasuddin threatened a campaign of civil disobedience unless the government passed legislation protecting British Muslims. The new Labour government of 1997 implemented many of his demands, including funding Muslim state schools and passing equalities legislation.
Ghayasuddin distinguished himself by turning a critical gaze inward. The Muslim Institute led campaigns against forced marriages, child abuse, and religious extremism. It produced reports such as the child protection in faith-based environments report in 2006 and the model Muslim marriage contract in 2009, which granted equal rights to both partners.
International Activism
Ghayasuddin was vocal on the world stage. In 1999, he publicly supported British Muslims detained on terrorist charges in Yemen, arguing against a presumption of their guilt. He campaigned against the genocide in Bosnia, the war in Chechnya, and as a founding member of the Stop the War Coalition in 2001, spoke out against Britain's involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. He believed that Muslim and non-Muslim voices were stronger together.
Later Years and Legacy
In 2009, Ghayasuddin relaunched the Muslim Institute as a fellowship society promoting thought, debate, and community empowerment. He never fully retired but passed the baton of leadership in 2010. He is survived by his wife Talat, their children Faiza, Uzma, Salman, and one other, and 11 grandchildren.
