Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui (1939–2026)**

The Halal Food Authority is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui. He was a leading intellectual, community leader, and key figure in the development of halal governance in the United Kingdom. He died peacefully at home on 18 April 2026, aged 87.

Born in 1939 amid global upheaval and partition, Dr Siddiqui arrived in Britain in 1963 during the first major wave of post-war migration. He soon became a prominent voice in the British Muslim community. At Sheffield University, he played an active role in FOSIS, fostering an intellectual environment and organising Malcolm X’s 1964 visit to Sheffield.

Dr Siddiqui was a pioneering institution builder. He co‑founded the Muslim Institute in 1973 with Kalim Siddiqui (no relation) and later revitalised it in 2008. Across decades, his work led to the creation of organisations that shape British Muslim civic life, such as the Halal Food Authority (1992), where his focus on ethical governance and strong halal standards defined its lasting role in the UK food sector.

His public life was marked by principled advocacy for human rights, social justice, and equality. He campaigned against the genocide in Bosnia, the war in Chechnya, and the UK’s involvement in the US-led conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Early on, he urged Muslims to work with non-Muslims on shared causes. This approach made him a leading figure in the Stop the War Coalition in 2001.

Dr Siddiqui addressed sensitive community issues with clarity and courage, leading campaigns against forced marriage, honour-based violence, and domestic abuse. He contributed to the Child Protection in Faith-Based Environments initiative and supported a reformed Muslim Marriage Contract designed to safeguard women’s rights.

After 9/11 and 7/7, he was a clear, steady voice who advocated cohesion, justice, and moral responsibility. His work shaped a confident, civically engaged British Muslim community grounded in ethical principles.

Dr Siddiqui devoted his life to education and mentorship. He supported young scholars and secured grants to support their further studies. He participated actively in intellectual and community forums throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife, Talat, and four children: Faiza, Asim, Uzma, and Salman. He leaves eleven grandchildren. His legacy endures in his family, the institutions he built, and those whose lives and careers he shaped by his guidance.

The Halal Food Authority honours his memory with gratitude and respect.