These were the scenes as an estimated 2,000 people attended the funeral of Bradford businessman Mohammed Shafiq who was knifed to death in his shop.

After funeral prayers at the Suffa-Tul-Islam Tangri Sharif Mosque in Sunbridge Road, many of the mourners made their way to Scholemoor Cemetery to lay the 44-year-old to rest.

Among the mourners paying their respects was a former Lord Mayor of Bradford, Choudhary Rangzeb, who is a friend of Mr Shafiq’s family.

He said: “This is one of the biggest funerals Bradford has witnessed. All our sympathies are with the family at this time and we hope that Allah will give him (Mohammed) peace and rest.”

Qurban Hussain, the leader of Great Horton Business Forum, who is also a shopkeeper, was also there to pay tribute.

“He was a gentle giant, a fantastic guy who worked ever so hard for the 20 years that I knew him. When I saw his children, I was so shaken.”

Crowds packed both sides of Sunbridge Road, as Mr Shafiq’s coffin was carried out to the waiting hearse.

Mourners paid their last respects by reaching out and touching it as it was lowered slowly into the hearse, lined with cream and blue flowers spelling out his family name.

Earlier this month Mr Shafiq was discovered at the Jalwa fashion shop in Arncliffe Terrace, Lidget Green, with several stab wounds to his chest and head.

Emergency services had to force their way into the building because the door had been locked.

His family, who are still too shocked to speak in public about their loss, said they had been inundated with requests from mosque members and businesses in the area about the funeral because so many of them wanted to attend.

Mr Shafiq’s shop sold clothes and wedding accessories.

An inquest into Mr Shafiq’s death was opened and adjourned yesterday at Bradford Coroner’s Court.

l Shafiq Hader, 32, of Chislehurst Place, Little Horton, Bradford, has been charged with Mr Shafiq’s murder and was due to appear at Bradford Crown Court today.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths @telegraphandargus.co.uk