When you first meet Bashir Maan, an 87 year old Glaswegian of Pakistani origin, he will smile shyly and nod respectfully as he shakes your hand. His modest, unassuming manner belie a lifetime of outstanding achievement and dedicated service to his community, and in recognition of his contribution to his community, he was honoured at an event in Glasgow in January when Bashir was presented with the Scottish Family Values Award by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Bashir A Maan, CBE, this year's recipient of the Scottish Famly Values Award
- Bashir A Maan, CBE, this year's recipient of the Scottish Famly Values Award
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The Scottish Family Values Award is presented by the Church to influential members of the community who stand for important values which support our society. Bashir’s track record speaks for itself: he arrived in Scotland from Pakistan in the early 1950’s and immersed himself in serving the Asian community in Glasgow. An educated man, he entered politics and became the first Muslim city councillor in the UK. He has served as a Glasgow magistrate, as a District Court Judge, as Deputy Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality and as President of the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations. Bashir has been awarded honorary degrees from the three Glasgow universities and a CBE for services to race relations, community affairs and politics.
Presenting the award, Elder Clifford Herbertson, Area Seventy, commended Bashir for his brave stance in opposing same-sex marriage in Scotland, and spoke of his many achievements. Elder Herbertson commented, “We are delighted to honour Bashir Maan for his tireless work in Community relations and his consistent support of traditional family values. We honour him not just as a man of faith and a dedicated public servant, but as a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather, who has set a great example to many."
Bashir, who attended the event with his grand-daughter, thanked the Church for the award and spoke of his sadness that marriage and family life are no longer given the ‘place of honour it deserves in our society”.
Many influential members of the community, including MSPs and Glasgow City Councillors and leading members of the Interfaith community, attended the event in honour of Mr Maan’s achievements and paid personal tribute to his courage and integrity as a leader not only in Glasgow but throughout Scotland.