It is with profound sadness that the Board of Directors announces the passing of our former Chief Executive Officer, who died after a period of illness. Shamim was an exceptional leader, a deeply compassionate person, and a tireless advocate for the communities we serve.
Throughout her time with the organisation, Shamim led with integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to the values of the voluntary sector. She fought for equality and equity on behalf of the underserved and seldom heard from amongst Keighley and beyond. Her work was never just a profession to her; it was a calling. She believed passionately in social justice, dignity, and service to others, and she brought those principles to life every day through her leadership and actions. Her work spoke for itself through the growth of the organisation and through the partnerships she developed.
As a Muslim woman, her faith informed her strong sense of ethics, kindness, and responsibility to others. She lived these values quietly and authentically, earning the respect and affection of colleagues, partners, and communities alike, regardless of background or belief.
As a human being she valued each and every person irrespective of faith, creed, ethnicity or nationality. Her warmth enabled people to feel at ease, something that allowed people to seek help and support without feeling judged, or of less worth. Shamim was an enabler, a builder of bridges between communities, the iftaar programmes and other community events are a testament to her ability to bring together people of different backgrounds.
Beyond her professional achievements, she will be remembered for her kind-heartedness, generosity of spirit, and the genuine care she showed to everyone she encountered. Her loss is deeply felt across our organisation, the wider voluntary and community sector, Keighley and across the Bradford district.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives she touched. We are committed to honouring her legacy by continuing the work she cared so deeply about and upholding the values she embodied.
We end with the Qur’anic verse, inna lillahe wa inna illahe rajeoun, [From God we come and unto Him is our return]. May her charitable work be a means of her success and salvation.