Adam Bhai: Not your conventional Labour Peer

Britain’s first Indian Muslim peer and a founder member of many community organisations died aged 78. He was buried at Pleasington Cemetery in a funeral attended by hundreds from across the North West.

Lord Adam or Adam Bhai as he was known to many, loved Lancashire and his town of Blackburn and always looked to assist as many people as he could from across different cultures and backgrounds.

But it wasn’t just about titles and the recognition from the Labour party. As anyone who had the opportunity to sit with and meet him would know it was very much about being able to further the development of the wider community wherever he could.

Lord Patel left his village of Kamad, in Bharuch, Gujurat, in 1965, arriving in Blackburn in December 1965. 

The familiar Lancashire weather greeted him - it was snowing and blowing a gale. He said, “I was used to 90F in India. It was a big shock.”

He had studied at MS University of Baroda, where he first became involved in politics. In England he worked as an accountant at Ivan Jacques’ practice and at a cotton mill for six months.

He went to become managing director of a successful clothing manufacturing company which allowed him to build a property in Langho where he remained until his final days.

But his heart lay in community affairs and he became instrumental in helping out others. In the Sixties and Seventies many first generation Asians suffered issues of racism and trying to find suitable places to live and worship.

Religion remained important to him and he was keen to ensure that places of worship and the rights of minorities were respected.  Being British and Muslim was never a contradiction – and being in the public eye was a battle that he would continually have to face.

The June edition of the Asian Image

He said in 2000, “I am first of all from Blackburn, and then British. My main interest will be race relations. I would hope to be a role model for people. 

“Blackburn is a good example of a multi-racial town. Wearing my traditional Kameez and cap as well as my House of Lords robes was a good symbol of this.” 

In 2000 watched by his wife Ayesha, children, grandchildren and friends he became a member of Parliament’s Upper House.

Speaking at the time he said, “I am delighted, of course, and very proud. I would see it as a considerable responsibility.

“I am proud to represent Blackburn, my home town, as well as to be the first Indian Muslim peer.”

Within just two months after his arrival he had secured a new room at Westminster for Muslims to pray in. Looking back, this was a significant moment which would help to dictate how he went on to become a champion for Muslim causes.

He remarked, “We are delighted. It is important for us to pray. Muslims pray five times a day. We have to do so except in special circumstances. The new arrangement is very good.

“We are a multicultural society and multiculturalism is the future of Britain.

“The Christians have their chapel in the crypt and now we have our prayer room in the Lords.”

During his career as a member of the Labour party he worked closely with Baroness Castle, Louise Ellman, Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton, Janet Anderson, Keith Vaz and Blackburn MP Jack Straw. He never held an elected political role.

He was a founder member of a whole host of organisations including the Blackburn Community Relations Council, the Racial Equality Council, a founder of the Blackburn Indian Workers’ Association and the Lancashire Council Mosques.

The British Hajj Delegation was led by Lord Adam Patel for a decade. It was a role that was probably one of the most rewarding. Many Hajjis would return to the UK having met Lord Patel whilst they were performing the pilgrimage and it has in many ways helped to raise standards for Hajjis on their journey of a lifetime.

In 2001 when an Asian Image investigation revealed how some Hajj firms were taking advantage of Muslims, only Lord Patel helped to highlight the issue.

From 2003 onwards when a Labour government led an invasion of Iraq, Lord Patel found himself at odds with others in his community who wanted him to speak out against other Labour members.  He wasn’t the only one though as the traditional backing of the Labour party by Muslims was being tested.

But Lord Patel articulated emphatically that he did not back the invasion.

In later life after struggles with his health he spent time more at home.

In 2019 we find ourselves at a crossroads where leadership remains polarised between those who feel we should either pacify elements of our religion to others who say there is no compromise.

Lord Patel was testament to a generation who showed what can be achieved by not compromising your culture and religion or your affinity with Britain– it is possible.

It was not an easy task at times but there is little doubt that Lord Patel  demonstrated how things can be adapted and changed for the better.

In many meetings where I was present, his was not the loudest voice or the most vocal. He also came across as a quiet person who seemed to be drawn into the conflicts that our community had to face through no fault of his own. But he wasn’t about to shy away from these and there was always a solution and an amicable one at that.

How a person is remembered by his friends, family and work colleagues matters – but each will have their own memories.

This may well be the best description and the humility of the man.

The first time I was asked to interview Lord Patel was at his home 20 years ago. It was one of the first opportunities to speak to him face to face. Having driven over to his home I was expecting to hear the familiar stories of one’s own achievements but that surprisingly did not happen.

He insisted, despite my protestations, that he should sit on the floor and me on the settee. First impressions are everything and say more about a person than titles and accolades.

Haji Adam Hafejee Patel (Phansiwala) was born on June 8 1940 and died on May 29 2019.