TRIBUTES have poured in for a Bromsgrove stalwart whose sudden death has rocked the community.

Cllr Abdul Jilani died on Tuesday, May 3, at the age of 67, just one day after celebrating Eid at Redditch Mosque.

His unexpected death shocked both Bromsgrove and Redditch where he was heavily involved in the Labour movement.

Cllr Jilani stood as a candidate for Bromsgrove South in last year’s Worcestershire County Council elections and has been a parish councillor for Catshill and North Marlbrook since last October.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Abdul Jilani. Abdul Jilani.

Bromsgrove district councillor for Rock Hill and deputy leader for Bromsgrove Labour, Harrison Rone-Clarke said he was “perhaps the most hard-working campaigner I’ve ever worked with”.

He said: “My friend Abdul really was one of a kind.

“Whenever he had a campaign to run, he’d be out every single day, in his suit and tie (looking rather dapper I might add), knocking doors, talking to people and most importantly listening to them.

“Abdul’s work ethic won him acclaim in his communities.

“Abdul was, more importantly, a fast friend; always asking how my work was going, what else I was getting up to, laughing and hosting some fabulous fundraising evenings in the town centre.

“Furthermore, when disaster hit Bangladesh, Abdul travelled there to help the relief effort.

“Abdul will leave behind a huge void in the Bromsgrove Labour Party, I really will miss him and his presence immensely.”

Sid Khan on behalf of Redditch Labour said Abdul always had a “beaming smile” on his face.

He said: “He was a regular at the Redditch Mosque and was heavily involved in the Save the Rohingya Campaign and even led the small team to Cox's Bazaar to distribute aid and build shelters.

“He stood with me outside the Mosque on Friday challenging the Tories. I last saw him in Eid day taking photos inside and outside the Mosque.”