The founder of a huge Indian restaurant chain with a restaurant in Manchester has died.
Muslim bereavement service, Janaza Announcements, said this morning Shabir Hussain, chairman and CEO of Akbar's, has passed away at the age of 56.
The restaurant first opened in 1995 with just a small 28-seat restaurant in the heart of Bradford.
All these will now be closed until Friday, October 18 (5pm).
A post on the Akbar's Facebook account said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shabir Hussain, founder of Akbars Restaurant Group.
"All restaurants will now be closed and will reopen on Friday, October 18 at 5pm."
Community answers
Pay your tributes to Akbar's founder Shabir Hussain
"A space to pay tributes to Akbar's founder Shabir Hussain who has sadly died aged 56"
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Share your tribute hereA great loss to Brad ford, we went on his opening week at Leeds Rd, and when we had finished our excellent meal, he asked us to write comments in a book he had , always willing to take on comments and build on his reputation. Bash WAS the ‘King of Curries’
Share your tribute hereBash was, is, and will always be a lovely man, always had time to speak to you and would go out of his way to make sure you enjoyed your meal. He had an infectious smile and would get you beaming within 5 seconds!! Taken way too early may Allah give him a thousand Blessings in Heaven, his Legacy will live on though Akbar`s!!
Share your tribute hereA very sad loss to Bradford Shabir was a true gent loved by all that knew him RIP
Share your tribute hereWe herald from Huddersfield and found Akbars when it was a just a tiny place. Shabir brought me ice-cream on my first visit, to cool my mouth down after a rather hot lamb curry ☺️! From our first visit we took others, we had a birthday bash there, told many others to go (and they did) and always had fantastic food. Shabir was an incredibly humble man, always had time for people. His love and passion for food clearly showed in all the dishes we ever had. We are so devastated to hear this incredibly sad news, especially for you his family. We send our deepest condolences. Akbars is and will continue to stand on the greatness it was created to be from the dream of Shabir. I remember Shabir telling us on our first visit right back in the 1990's that he had invented the nan hanger and wished he had patented it.
Share your tribute hereBrother Shabir was a legend, i met him going a few years back at his Bradford branch when i was pregnant and was waiting in a very long time for a table and he saw me looking fed up ready to leave and he called me back and gave me a table straight away as he spotted me pregnant and waiting with kids. He was soo caring and charming and offered me and my kids free desserts. Rest in peace Brother.
Share your tribute hereVery Sad. The tributes say how much we all liked him. What they don’t say his how much he did for community integration. He was brave and tolerant to sell the alcohol and the reward was that it proved that we can all sit down and have a meal together. A small thing that can be a big barrier. A tremendous contribution to civilisation.
Share your tribute hereCondolences to the family. Bash was a great business man and always polite and welcoming to his restaurant.
Share your tribute hereWhat a man he was , humble gentle and down to earth, a hardworking man who started as a waiter and built a huge curry chain, he and his smile will be remembered for a long long time . God bless his soul, and give his family friends and colleagues enough strength to deal with this great tragedy.
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me and my Eleven (cat) Share your tribute hereThis is what life is ultimately about, to have served humanity, to have been a shining, towering, yet the most humble example of a man, to have been a living legend as Shabir was. Shabir is in all probability an angel who was passing through in human form, to teach us, to remind us of the gift that is life, before moving on. Shabir was in the life we are still in, a real saint. He has transcended this into a higher form in where he has reached. May we be blessed and fortunate to encounter him again in heavenly bliss that is now his new home, if we are worthy of such , as we have been blessed to have been uplifted by his impact on us through our knowledge of him, and the relationship we had with his and our precious and all to short lives. I like thousands of others to whom he meant so much, are in sorrow and grief and the loss of Shabbir’s presence. His light now shines upon us from a higher place. My and family’s condolences to Shabir's family,, and all who he cared for and who cared for him
Share your tribute hereBhai Shabir was one of the Grandees of Bradford his contribution and experience to the food and hospitality industry is enormous for the UK met him a few times in my life what a legend full of happiness love smiling but above all making time to have a chat with you in the restaurant May Allah Grant Bhai Shabir Jannat Ul Firdous And Give His Family And Loved Ones Sabr At This Difficult Time In Their Life’s Ameen
Share your tribute hereI am so sorry to hear about Shabir Hussain passing away. How do I begin, it’s such a shock... we were at college together and the same age- both studying a business course in the late 1980s as I recall from my memory. That was a long time ago, but Bash as we used to call him made me laugh so much with his stories, mainly about how he was going to conquer the world and we dreamed about ideas and supported each other. He took me to his first restaurant on Leeds Road Bradford in the 1990s, where we discussed food and creating new ideas- his positivity filled the room with so much energy. I remember he was one of the only young people to have had a mobile phone that was built like a brick and he was often seen in a yellow sports car. I was delighted for him. I told him I was going win as many food competitions as I could and he was delighted for me when I did. It's hard to get my head round that he's not with us anymore- it’s so sad that he's been taken so young. It is a tremendous loss for his nearest and dearest and to the city of Bradford. My thoughts are with his family Gita Mistry
Share your tribute hereI remember when the restaurent first opened. We were there on the opening night. A regular visiter until I emigrated to Poland 15 years ago. A wonderful place and a wonderful man. Peace and love
Share your tribute hereWhen my family were young they were so fussy and so we rarely ate Curry's out, but my love for Akbar's came when Shabir created the stand for the enormous naans. My son , 8 at the time was sold and the rest is curry heaven history so to speak. We visited regularly due to Shabirs ethos, vision and fantastic customer service. He has left an indelible mark on the Asian restaurant business. Thank you Shabir
Share your tribute hereA true gentleman and a very down to earth man. Speaking to him you would never hear of the greatness or money he had but of his start and humble beginnings. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.
Share your tribute hereSincere condolences to the family you was a true gent and my late brother Shazad (Eddisons Bradford ) always spoke so highly of you I can remember you was not in the country for my brothers janaza but you made a special visit to my dad to pay your condolences on your return just shows what a humble person you were treated all the same,your souls will be reunited now in sha Allah
Share your tribute hereHaving known Shabir for many, many years. It is a very sad day that we hear the news of his death. Our thoughts are with his family. Bruce & Lyn Maloney
Share your tribute hereWithout any doubt one of the nicest restaurant owners in hospitality and one of my very favourite clients . Will miss his smile and sense of humour a truly beautiful kind person with lots of natural warmth as a person will miss our chats. Love to all the Akbar’s family & friends Mike Roebuck Square Key .
Share your tribute hereWat a legend may Allah forgive him and grant him high abode he had time for everyone and a contagious smile mashallah r.i.p brother gone but legends never die ur work and love lives on
Share your tribute hereMay Allah swt grant you the highest rank in Jannah Al fidous🤍🕊️. My Condolences to his family and friends. Forever will be missed.
Share your tribute hereSuch sad news. Some lovely memories of taking my young family to the first restaurant and following his business progression. He and his staff were always so welcoming and made time to greet you when and where ever he saw you m
Share your tribute hereHe was a decent human being. I had the opportunity to share a table with him at the last Afra awards ceremony in London. We had very good business discussions. He will be missed by the business community. My thoughts are with the family and friends. My his soul rest in peace. Ameen
Share your tribute hereSuch a lovely person he's going to be missed by so many folks in the Bradford Community Rest In Eternal Paradise Condolences to the family 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Share your tribute hereVery sad news, another legend has gone and this time from the restaurant industry. Shabir always took the time to speak to me when we met in the Leeds Road Akbars, we always had a laugh, he was a true gentleman and I will miss him as will a great many of his loyal customers. A great man and a totally awesome curry chef. God bless.......From your Scottish friend and curry fanatic.......
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Another Birthday at Akbars........ Share your tribute hereShab was very good friend of my Aunty son Munir Ghani I got to know him when Akbars first opened up in 90’s Shab was one in a million guy a dimond to Asian community and others community to he would go that extra mile to help anyone everyone yes he had everything respect money good business but what I liked about him he never showed off he treated everybody with respect never looked down to anyone last time I spoke him saw him was at Leeds Road Akbars branch he saw me thru the window waved at me and came out to speak to me 😊 May Allah SWT 🤲🤲🤲 Grant highest rank in jannah ul FIRDOUSE Ameen 🙏🙏🙏 Gives his Family Saber .
Share your tribute hereAte regularly at Akbars in Bradford, now living in Scotland so eat in Glasgow now. Condolences to his family at this sad time
Share your tribute hereAllah swt mughferat atta farmaye RIP Chief ameen
Share your tribute hereSorry to hear such sad news.Thinking of all the family at this sad time I will always remember you at Akbars in LeedsRoad, I always knew you as Bash. Always welcoming RIP
Share your tribute hereI na lilahi wanna illayhe rajeoon. What a class act and very nice humble gentlemen. He always had time for you no matter how busy he would be and genuinely took an interest in whatever you had to say. I just can't imagine going to the Leeds Road Akbars and just not seeing him there.!! I last spoke to him alone at the Yorkshire Clinic when he had just had an MRI scan. May Allah the Almighty grant him the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus. You will be sorely missed brother!
Share your tribute hereGoodbye dear friend thankyou for the wonderful times we shared in egypt you will be missed and missed by Bradfordians untill we meet again ❤️
Share your tribute hereInna lillahi wa inna iayhi rajioun. May Allah make his journey back to him easy and wish all his family my sincere condolences.
Share your tribute hereMeet Sabir many times in Akbars (he would always do me the mixed grill starter, even when they took it off the menu) we also had many a conversation about Dubai and his interests in the UAE. RIP Sabir thoughts & condolences to his family and friends.
Share your tribute hereR.I.P. Went to school together, great guy who provided great evenings for all in his restaurant
Share your tribute hereI met him at Starbucks rooley lane Bradford. He was looked quite smart full of life. Then I heard bad news about his health. And today he is not with us. So many people will miss him. Very friendly personality. Almighty Allah bless his soul peace in havens. Aamin
Share your tribute hereInna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun
Share your tribute hereGoodby to a good friend and neigbor we had some great times with you and your family over the years. May you rest in peace, and condolences to your family
Share your tribute hereRIP … remember when the Leeds road was one room. Always knew you as “Bash’ Akbars won’t be the same without you …
Share your tribute hereInna lilahi wa inna illahi rajeoon. Chief you was a great man and a great inspiration when I used to work for you over 17 years ago in Manchester. What a guy and lovely aura. Your food was amazing and you will be missed.
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This wad my birthday party with my sister to my left and my two so s Share your tribute here'Inna lillah hee wa inna ilaiyji wa rajiun. "Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we return." May the most high negate his sins and magnify his good deeds! Shabir was the third scion of Bradford's Kashmiri restaurant trade to pass away recently. Bradford has lost another great businessman, philanthropist and all round humanitarian who contributed hugely to the city in such a positive way!
Share your tribute hereSending prayers and condolences to the family and all his work colleagues in their loss. You’ve all lost a great man whose left a great legacy. Gone but never forgotten RIP Shamir
Share your tribute hereIt is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to an industry leader and friend. Shabir, Chairman and CEO of Akbars was always there for Prashad. He helped us when we needed it the most, he had the golden touch and inspired an Industry to push forward and grow, helping many restaurants along the way. Kaushy and Mohan treated him like a son and we as a family are in awe of his drive and vision. We pray for his soul to have eternal peace. Om Shanti 🙏🏼
Share your tribute hereInna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun. Brother Shabbir was a great kind human I came across. Always welcoming with a genuine smile. He will always stay in our hearts ❤️ . May their Soul rest in peace and Allah swt grant them the highest place in Jannat ul Firdous . Aamen 🙏
Share your tribute hereSuch sad news. I pray his family will be surrounded by love and support and that those entrusted with his legacy forever honour him. Condolences too to his Mangers and staff many of whom were with him from the start.
Share your tribute hereShabir was an inspiration to many and a lovely soul. Verily we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Allah grant you the highest ranks in Jannah.
Share your tribute hereVery sad day, what a man always welcoming was one of his very first customers, and he became a great friend R.I.P Shabir Hussain
Share your tribute hereBrother Shabir set new heights for all Asian restaurant owners. The last memory of him was when he popped in to a brothers restaurant where I help out just before they opened their Blackburn branch. He gave us his time and gave us great advice. May Allah swt grant him Jannatul ferdous.
Share your tribute hereAmjad Akhtar Halifax Brother Shabir may Allah grant them the highest rank in Jannah was a true gentleman and a Legend and a very humble guy. He would meet you with up most respect . Very Sad news and a Big Loss to the Local Community. MAY ALLAH grant his family Sabar and make it easy for them. Ameen
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AKBARS RESTAURANT Share your tribute hereI use to see bhai shabeer drive up Leeds road in his Ferrari and watch his vidoes great man he was and it’s very devastating news that’s he’s gone so soon ❤️
Share your tribute hereHow sad, May you Allah accept all your lovely efforts in the community & may you have a lovely peaceful grave. Ameen.
Share your tribute hereWas fortunate to go to the first restaurant from day one a very likeable man who always had time for every one RIP
Share your tribute hereWhat a wonderful soul. An aspiration and talent to every man and woman who met him. Gone too soon. We will miss you Shabir, your beautiful charisma witt and charm. God bless you.
Share your tribute hereHe was always helpful. And always happy to see people. A Bradford legend. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
Share your tribute hereInna lillahi wa inna iayhi rajioun. May Allah swt forgive his sin, make his grave a garden from Jannah and grant him Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. Sad news to hear and wish all his family my sincere condolences.
Share your tribute hereOne best guy I’meet earlier 1995 and very humble nice guy Shabz
Share your tribute hereThis is devastating news, so sad. Sincere condolences to the family at this difficult time.
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