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Muslim Women's Council founder dies age 52

Hayley CoyleYorkshire
News imageAisha Iqbal/BBC A middle-aged South Asian woman in a green and black headscarfAisha Iqbal/BBC
The death of Bana Gora, co-founder of the Muslim Women's Council, was announced on 1 May

The co-founder and CEO of the Muslim Women's Council, Bana Gora, has died aged 52, it has been confirmed.

News of the "true visionary's" death was announced by the Bradford-based organisation on Friday.

Paying tribute they described her as a source of "strength, guidance and inspiration" who worked tirelessly to empower women and "challenge harmful social norms".

Gatherings to remember Gora took place on Friday and Saturday at Hanfia Masjid in Bradford.

In a statement the Muslim Women's Council said: "Our heartfelt condolences and sincere prayers go out to her mother, family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives were touched by her leadership, service and kindness.

"Bana was a unique trailblazer, guiding our work with her forthright, unflinching wisdom and knowledge."

Dr Wajid Akhter, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain also paid tribute to the "proud Bradfordian".

He said: "Her legacy of empowering Muslim Women has had a profound impact on our communities.

"She was staunchly against gender-based injustices which are often brushed under the carpet."

Gora helped found the Muslim Women's Council in 2009, with the aim of ensuring Bradford could "excel at being a vibrant city" by understanding and responding to the "complexity of the problems facing the city, its inhabitants, and by helping to celebrate its strengths".

She also worked with charities and the not for profit sector, including domestic violence services in Keighley and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation for 30 years.

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said she had been "shocked" by the news and that she had known Gora for many years.

She said: "She was a strong, confident, articulate leader who had vision and ambition.

"People like Bana are hard to find. I know she will be a huge loss to her family and friends but also to the Muslim Women's Council which she has so ably led for many years."

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