'She will be missed by so many': Tributes paid to Leeds councillor Mahalia France-Mir
Tributes have been paid from across the city following the death of a Leeds councillor.
The Moortown Labour Party announced that Councillor Mahalia France-Mir passed away on Monday, January 19.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party said: “It is with great sadness that we have to report that our friend and colleague, Councillor Mahalia France-Mir, passed away last night.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
France-Mir represented the Moortown ward, having been elected in 2022. She was the daughter of Arthur France, who founded the Leeds West Indian Carnival - the first of its kind in Europe - in 1967.
Paying tribute, members of the Weetwood branch of the Labour Party said: “Many of you will have known her. Maybe because you live in Meanwood - she was the councillor for Moortown ward and very much a vibrant and important member of the Meanwood community.
“Equally you might have known her as a fellow carer and hugely important advocate for carers, as a fellow Muslim, or from one of the so many community and charity projects she did such a lot for.
“We're going to miss you so much Mahalia x”
Labour councillor Tom Hinchcliffe described France-Mir as a “wonderful and kind” person and said she was very close to her fellow Leeds Labour councillors. He said: “Devastated by the loss of my friend, Mahalia. A wonderful and kind person who was so close to many of us in the Leeds Labour Group of Councillors.
“She is going to be missed by so many people in Moortown, Meanwood and across the city. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this tragic time.”
Fellow Moortown councillor Mohammed Shahzad added: “Feeling sad and heartbroken after receiving this news today.”
Flags are at half mast at Leeds Civic Hall as tributes are paid following the death of an “exceptional” city councillor.
Leeds City Council leader James Lewis praised her passion in representing ward residents.
He said: “Mahalia was an exceptional woman who will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time.”
Coun Lewis added: “Mahalia represented Moortown and Meanwood ward and will be remembered for her great compassion and warmth, as well as breaking barriers as one of the few Muslim women elected as a councillor in Leeds.
“She meant so much to so many people in Leeds, particularly to the residents she was passionate about representing and her colleagues at the council. Her loss is widely felt.”