Mohamed Aboulkhair Zaki Badawi

Mohamed Aboulkhair Zaki Badawi, "cleric and Islamic scholar: born Sharkia, Egypt 14 January 1922; Director, Islamic Cultural Centre and Chief Imam, London Central Mosque, Regent's Park 1978-81; Principal, Muslim College 1986-2006; OBE (Hon) 1998, KBE (Hon) 2004; married (one son, one daughter); died London 24 January 2006.

"In 1997 Badawi established the Three Faiths Forum with Sir Sigmund Sternberg and the Rev Marcus Braybrooke. The idea of encouraging friendship, goodwill and understanding amongst "people of the book" appealed to the halal globetrotter who always envisioned himself as a bridge-maker of peace and understanding. Badawi was for many years until his death a leading member of the Tripoli-based World Islamic Call Society which shared his conviction of Muslim benevolence across the world. He was Vice-Chairman of the World Congress of Faiths and a founder director of the Forum Against Islamophobia and Racism (Fair)...

"He earned a London University PhD in Modern Muslim Thought, then set off to teach in Malaysia, Singapore and Nigeria, finally settling in London in the mid- Seventies and becoming Chief Imam at Regent's Park Mosque and director of the Islamic Cultural Centre in 1978."