In Remembrance of Oxford’s First Imam: Shaykh Ahmad Bullock
Shaykh Ahmed Bullock, of the age 94, passed away on October 25, as reported by the official Facebook page of Cambridge Muslim College. He was one of the Cambridge Muslim College (CMC)’s most respected supporters. Bullock was born in 1924 and studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, the UK. He converted to Islam after World War II and then had become the first Imam of Oxford. For many years there, he had led the Bath Street Mosque.
Bullock was also UK’s best-known oriental book dealer. He made the opening speech and prayer at the official opening of CMC along with the donation of many books to their library. Through the ages, there have been many prominent scholars on Islam and have taught at the University of Cambridge including Arthur Arberry who translated the Quran into English and his translation is regarded by many authorities as one of the best translations.
Today, with support from major intellectuals such as Shaykh Bullock, the Islamic Society at the University of Cambridge numbers in the hundreds, with representation from British Muslim communities and also across the Muslim world. At the United Kingdom Census of 2011, the population of Cambridge was 123,867 including 24,506 students. Currently, Abu Bakr Jamia Islamic Centre, Omar Faruque Mosque, and the Cultural Centre in Kings Hedges serve the city’s Muslim community until a planned new mosque is built.
Shaykh Bullock was the imam of about 4,000 Muslims in Cambridge and has left a great mark in the respective Muslim Community. May Allah(SWT) grant Imam Shaykh Bullock a high rank in Jannah. Please take out some time to recite Surah Fatiha for him, and pray for the health and well-being of the whole Muslim Ummah.
“Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what s the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.” (Surah Imran:185)
See also: Quranic verses about death
