Abdul Mulla obituary: Former councillor, speaker of Hackney, Dallas fan and bus conductor dies at 79
Abdul Mulla, pictured in 2003/4 as speaker of Hackney. Picture: Hackney Council - Credit: Archant
Former councillor and speaker of Hackney Abdul Gafoor Mulla has died at 79, writes his colleague and friend Cllr Ian Rathbone.
He was a stalwart of Hackney Labour party, and during his time as speaker focused particularly on the importance and role of young people, seeking to give them a voice and presence in the town hall.
He founded Hackney Muslim Council, and was a key member of Hackney Twinning Links Association.
He stood down as a councillor in 2006.
He was born in India and was the son of a tailor. At the age of nine his mother sent him from India to Kenya to help his father who had gone there previously to hopefully make a better life for himself and family.
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In Kenya he worked for a number of years first in his father’s store, then as a television salesman, and then for the East African Airlines. Around the time Kenya gained independence, he went back to India.
He then travelled to London with £3 in his pocket and the clothes on his back. On his third day in London he landed a job with the London Transport – firstly as a bus conductor and then as a bus driver.
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He was a hardcore fan of Dallas and loved J R Ewing, and would rearrange his duty so as to be free on Wednesday evenings at 8pm when the programme was on.
He is survived by his wife, five daughters and two sons, 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was a very friendly person, with a great sense of humour, and very much a family man. It was a privilege to know him and work alongside him.
If you’d like to share your memories of Mr Mulla, please email gazette.letters@archant.co.uk.
