THE MUSLIM Woman's Council (MWC) has announced the death of a community stalwart and "feisty" award-winning writer.

The independent charity, which is run by Muslim women and based in Bradford, posted on Twitter and Facebook on Tuesday to inform people that "beloved sister, friend and colleague", Nuzhat Ali, had died.

Nuzhat was revered within the community and organised a number of seminars for The MWC, including two in each of March and April 2017, where she explored the history of the niqab and hijab and discussed Sakina, the great granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad.

The mother also won the Channel 4/Northumbria University Writing for Television Award at the Northern Writers’ Awards in 2015 after her play, "When George Came to Bradford", was staged as part of that year’s Bradford Literature Festival.

She then went on to write "Flight" - another play, focusing on the heartbreaking desperation of Syrian refugees - in 2018.

A tribute to Nuzhat from the MWC said: "Our beloved sister, friend and colleague Nuzhat has returned to our Lord.

"Nuzhat was always brimming with ideas, an award-winning writer and full of immense wisdom & knowledge.

"She was a feisty and integral part of MWC, refusing to sit on the fence during many debates.

"Nuzhat's many notable projects include writing her stunning play 'Flight', about the heartbreaking desperation of Syrian refugees, the many Islamic seminars she organised for MWC, and compiling our book on the shared heritage of headcoverings across Abrahamic faiths.

"She regarded herself as a life-long student, and we are proud to say we learned and continue to learn so much from her life and beautiful legacy alhamdulillah.

"Nuzhat has always been an immense source of knowledge, comfort and support for so many of us, this is a great loss for our community.

"Please keep our dear Nuzhat in your Prayers and Duas.

"We will hold you in our hearts forever dear Nuzhat."