From Struggle 
to Strength

Abdul Hameed Salik (1952–1994) was a deeply respected community leader, educator, and social reformer whose life was devoted to the service of others. Arriving in Rochdale from Azad Kashmir in 1967, he helped shape the town’s social, educational, and interfaith landscape. From teaching and youth work to housing, health, and racial equality, his quiet leadership left a powerful and lasting legacy. Honoured with a portrait at Rochdale Town Hall and a street bearing his name, Mr Salik is remembered not only for his tireless work but for his humility, wisdom, and unwavering belief in unity and service.

​

Abdul Hameed Salik was a pioneering community leader, educator, and social reformer whose tireless dedication helped shape the civic, cultural, and social fabric of Rochdale over more than three decades. Born in Azad Kashmir, he migrated to the United Kingdom in 1967, part of the early wave of South Asian migrants who left behind familiar lives in search of opportunity, safety, and dignity. He arrived with little formal education and limited knowledge of English, and like many of his peers, began working in Rochdale’s thriving textile mills, including Arrow Mill in Castleton.

​

But Mr Salik was never content with survival alone. He understood that meaningful change—for himself and for others—required knowledge, communication, and collective progress. Almost immediately upon his arrival, he committed himself to learning English, developing his own education, and helping others do the same. In the evenings, after long shifts at the mill, he would teach Urdu and Islamic education at the Tweedale Street Teaching Centre. Later, as one of the founding members of the Neeli Mosque Islamic Centre, he moved his educational work there, where it continued to benefit generations of local children and young people. His commitment to education was unwavering: he believed it was the key to empowerment, dignity, and long-term change within the community.

​

Yet Mr Salik’s role was never limited to one classroom, one centre, or one cause. His home on Leicester Street became widely known as a place of refuge and help—a hub where people came for translation support, to fill out immigration or housing forms, or to seek advice on navigating unfamiliar institutions. He offered guidance not out of obligation or title, but from a deeply held belief in selfless service. This quiet, dependable generosity defined much of his life and became the foundation of the countless formal roles he would later take on.

​

Mr Salik held leading positions across many of Rochdale’s most influential community organisations. As General Secretary of the Pakistan Welfare Association, he provided vital support to South Asian families struggling with issues ranging from immigration and employment to social integration. He regularly visited ethnic minority prisoners and hospital patients to provide cultural and emotional support and to advocate for those whose voices were often unheard.

​

Throughout his life, he worked to promote interfaith understanding, racial harmony, and social justice. He was a founding member of Rochdale’s Interfaith Action Group and participated in numerous projects that brought together communities across religious and cultural divides. He believed strongly that a thriving society depended on its ability to embrace diversity, listen to one another, and act with compassion. His involvement in interfaith and interracial work continued right up until his sudden and unexpected passing.

​

Mr Salik also championed youth development and was ahead of his time in recognising the need for safe spaces where young people could discuss identity, challenges, and faith. He established the Islamic Youth Circle, a forum for Muslim youth in Rochdale to share experiences and find support. Many of the youth activities and clubs operating today in the town can trace their origins back to this initiative.

​

His service extended into urban regeneration and community infrastructure. In 1986, he joined the Deeplish Residents Association, eventually serving as Chairman for six years. During this time, he led efforts to reclaim derelict spaces and develop children’s play areas. In partnership with the local authority and health service, he helped to establish a new community centre and clinic—a pioneering model combining health and social care, which remains operational and serves thousands in the area today.

​

His leadership was equally impactful in the area of enterprise and skills. As Workshop Manager and Vice Chair of the Kashmir Youth Project (KYP), Mr Salik was instrumental in promoting training and employment opportunities for ethnic minority communities. He was a key figure in planning and delivering the high-profile 1989 visit of HRH Prince Charles to the KYP, accompanying the Prince and showcasing the strength and innovation of the organisation’s work.

​

Education, health, and equal opportunities were central themes throughout his life. He served as a school governor for Deeplish Primary, Balderstone High, and Springhill High. From 1982 to 1989, he acted as a co-opted member of Rochdale’s Local Education Authority, helping secure the introduction of halal food in schools and hospitals, advocating for mother-tongue instruction, and tackling racial harassment. He also advised on cultural issues affecting family life and was a trusted voice on matters of safeguarding and child welfare. He was an active member of the Child Protection Committee and contributed to planning the implementation of the Children’s Act.

​

At the time of his death, he was serving as a Race Advisor for Rochdale Social Services and remained involved in a number of vital working groups, including those focusing on housing, equal opportunities, and health equity. He chaired the Asian Special Housing Initiative Agency, which flourished under his leadership and became one of the North West’s most respected BME housing associations. His work also included serving on the Community Charge Appeal Tribunal, West Pennine Housing Association, Rochdale Health Trust’s Ethnic Minority Working Party, the Rochdale Community Project, and as a Director of M6 Theatre Company, where he promoted ethnic representation in the arts.

​

In the final years of his life, Mr Salik chaired the Rochdale Racial Equality Council, where he led efforts to challenge systemic inequalities in policing, education, housing, and employment. His voice was one of fairness and vision, always grounded in the belief that dignity and opportunity should be available to all, regardless of background.

​

In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, a portrait of Abdul Hameed Salik was commissioned after his death and now hangs with honour at Rochdale Town Hall. His name lives on not only in the many organisations and initiatives he helped to build, but also in the very landscape of the town: a street was named after him, cementing his legacy in the daily life of the community he served so faithfully.

​

Following his passing, Councillor Abdul Chowdhry described him as “a tremendous inspiration”, capturing what so many others felt—that Mr Salik was a rare and remarkable figure, whose quiet wisdom, tireless dedication, and compassion touched countless lives.

​

Alongside all his public work, Mr Salik was also a man of letters. He was widely read, loved Urdu literature, and wrote poetry. His intellectual curiosity and cultural depth infused his activism with humility and depth. His sudden death left a void that may never be filled, but the example he set continues to inspire all those who walk in his footsteps.

​

Abdul Hameed Salik’s story is not only one of service and sacrifice—it is a reminder of what one life, lived with purpose and care, can do to transform a community. His legacy endures in Rochdale’s institutions, in its streets, and in the hearts of the people who knew him. May his memory be a continual source of guidance, strength, and unity.