I was born in 1931 into a middle class military family in what was to become Pakistan. My father was a British Indian officer who fought for Britain in both world wars.

I trained as a teacher and was a Deputy Head until I migrated to the UK. As part of the first influx to Sheffield from Pakistan, I was one of the few who spoke Punjabi, Urdu and English, so whilst working for Sheffield Transport Department I spent many hours voluntarily interpreting at schools, hospitals and other agencies to enable people to play a full part in British society. This led on to a lifetime of service to the community as an advice worker, a Sheffield City Councillor and a member of many forums such as Sheffield Campaign Against Racism.

I played a part in setting up the Pakistan Muslim Centre and the Madina Mosque and I am also a founder member of the Sheffield Interfaith Group. In 1998 I was awarded the OBE for my community and race relations work.

Madina Mosque