'Genuinely special': Tributes pour in for beloved Mahalia France-Mir at emotional council meeting
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved Leeds councillor and mum at a civic meeting held in her honour.
Colleagues of Moortown Labour councillor Mahalia France-Mir expressed their sadness following her death last month.
Coun France-Mir served the Leeds City Council ward for more than than three years after being elected in 2022.
Speaking at an extraordinary council meeting, Lord Mayor Dan Cohen said: “Mahalia was a generous and compassionate person who’s presence was always a source of joy.”
Coun France-Mir was the daughter of Arthur France, who founded Leeds West Indian Carnival, held in the city since 1967.
Council leader James Lewis said she was one of a growing number of black and Muslim women elected to the council.
He said: “She was fun, she was energetic. She was a much-loved and dedicated member of the Labour group.”
Mohammed Shahzad, a fellow Moortown Labour member, read tributes from people who knew her from her community work.
He said: “She understood that service meant being present, listening, carefully offering encouragement and making people feel valued.
“Beyond this chamber, she was a devoted mother of four and a proud family woman.”
Gipton and Harehills Labour councillor Salma Arif said Coun France-Mir was “genuinely special.”
She said: “She had a beautiful way of just lighting up every single room she entered.”
Mohammed Rafique, Chapel Allerton Labour member, read a message from Coun France-Mir’s husband Mudassir Mir.
It said: “Just a sincere thank you from the family for the support and kind messages we have received from councillors from across the city.
“She loved her role as a councillor and did it with passion.”
Community leader Arthur France MBE spoke to the YEP earlier this month in a heartfelt tribute to his daughter.
Speaking from his home in Lovell Park, France said her loss had “broken” him, but he wanted people to remember the impact she made on the city she served.
“She was very loving,” he told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “Very giving. She brought something to the table wherever she went.”