Council flag at half mast for death of former Slough mayor

The former mayor of Slough, known for ‘caretaking the office with gravitas’, has passed away at the age of 85.

Councillor Mohammed Rasib was first elected for the Chalvey ward in 2006 and served the same ward until retiring in May 2020.

Born in Pakistan, Councillor Rasib came to the UK in 1961 and moved to Slough from Birmingham in 1963, where he worked on the trading estate until his retirement.

The former grocery store owner kept busy as a Labour councillor while serving as mayor of Slough in 2015/16 and deputy mayor for 2014/15.

Speaking to the Express in May 2016 after hanging up his mayoral chains, Councillor Rasib said what he loved most about mayoral service was ‘serving the people of Slough’.

He was proud of Slough’s cultural communities and was a founding member and president of Slough’s ‘Pakistani Welfare Association’ in 1964.

Councillor Rasib stressed the importance of celebrating diversity and believed in ‘community cohesion’, adding: “There’s no time for hate, we have to love each other, no matter what religion.

“We see people here from India, Pakistan, America, Holland, wherever they’re from, they’re always welcome here.”

During his one-year mayorship, Councillor Rasib admired the ‘wonderful’ work of Slough’s charity organisations, which he described as ‘one of my favourite parts of the job’.

“I always have a soft corner in my heart for them,” he told the Express.

“What’s also given me great pleasure is the youngsters in our schools.

“I’m proud of them and I can say our younger generation are wonderful people, they will do a better job than us.”

The ceremonial role allowed him to open new education and community facilities, meet the armed forces and be part of the borough’s remembrance services.

Councillor Rasib campaigned on community safety issues and improving housing in Slough, and was on the Health Scrutiny Panel and the Licensing and Standards Committees.

He believed in public service over ‘big power politics’ and was dedicated to working ‘for the people and the local community’.

“My expectation was that the role of mayor would help me as a councillor, and it has,” he told the Express.

“I’ve connected with people more because, as a councillor, you only have your own ward, when you’re the mayor, you’ve got the whole of Slough.”

Councillor Rasib died on Saturday, April 26, and a funeral took place on Sunday, April 27, following Islamic custom.

Slough Borough council leader Councillor Dexter Smith said: “I was very sorry to hear of the passing of former mayor Councillor Rasib.

“He was a very gentle person, and it was my privilege to work with him on the Health Scrutiny Panel.

“Councillor Rasib took his role as Mayor with the utmost seriousness, believing it to be an honour to be the town’s first Citizen. 

“Throughout his year as Mayor, it was all about the residents, never about personal gain or glory; caretaking the office with gravitas as well as compassion.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those close to him.”

The flag outside the council headquarters, Observatory House, is flying at half-mast as a sign of respect.