TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving imam in Redditch who has passed away after decades of service to his community.

Shaykh Mufti Abdul Rasool Mansoor Al-Azhari, who served as head imam and spiritual guide at Redditch Central Mosque, died in Pakistan last week, aged 68-years-old.

Mufti Abdul Rasool Mansoor served at the mosque for over three decades after arriving in the town in 1985, where he raised his five daughters and two sons.

Sid Khan, a friend and worshipper at Redditch Central Mosque, paid heartfelt tribute, with: “He’s been in Redditch for over 35 years.

“That’s what made him different from other imams, many come and go but he made Redditch his home and stayed here.

“He had a very warm personality and he always made time to personally ask about people about their health and welfare. He really cared about the whole community.

“He was known nationally as he appeared on specialist TV shows and even internationally as he was author of quite a few books and translations. He was a serious academic but warm and down to earth.”

The mufti was one of the most prominent Islamic scholars in the UK, penning over 18 books.

He was a graduate of Islamic Jurisprudence from Al Azhar University in Egypt and a lecturer at Muhiyul Islam Islamic University, while also appearing on Sky’s Noor TV.

He passed away in Pakistan where he was visiting an Islamic institute in Sahiwal that he founded to help youngsters with their academic and spiritual growth.

Also paying tribute, Juma Begum, BAME officer at the Redditch Labour Party, said: “He was a very scholarly individual and a pillar of the wider Redditch community.

“This is very sad news to Redditch Muslims and those he touched much further afield.

“Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and for the wider Muslim community of Redditch.”