Video: Hundreds gather for funeral of dad who died in Leeds police raid

Those were the words used to describe Nazim Din, as hundreds of mourners gathered for his funeral in Harehills today.

The devoted father and grandfather, 54, died of a suspected heart attack during a police raid at his home last week.

A private ambulance bearing the words to the traditional Islamic prayer for the recently departed, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah and to him we return’, carried Mr Din’s coffin to the Bilal Mosque in Harehills. He was later buried at Cottingley cemetery.

Among those gathering to pay tribute was Jahangir Bashir, a relative of Mr Din’s, who said: “He was a gentleman. He was a law abiding person. He was very pleasant, helpful to a lot of people. He had a lot to live for.” He added Mr Din’s family were finding things “very tough”.

As reported in the YEP yesterday, four police officers have been suspended as an independent watchdog continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and death of the former taxi boss as officers swooped to arrest one of his sons at his home in Wortley on August 28.

Mr Din had a suspected heart attack while apparently trying to tell police that they had arrested the wrong son over a criminal damage allegation. He was not being arrested himself.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed the force had suspended two police officers and two PCSOs as part of the ongoing investigation by the IPCC, and was “providing its full cooperation”.

Mr Din’s family were finally be able to lay him to rest after three separate post mortems.

Nephew Saeed Khan had earlier said his uncle’s tragic death happened during a period of celebration, when many members of his family – including his elderly mother – had flown to Pakistan to take part in another relative’s wedding. Mr Din’s mum Saira Bi, who is in her 80s, flew back to England the day after her son’s death. Other family members had also been flying back over the last few days.

Referring to the IPCC investigation, Mr Khan said that the latest development was a relief for the family, and it was comforting to know that “something is happening” and the investigation was moving forward.

Mr Din was well known across the community, having co-run the Blue Line taxi firm for many years alongside his brother. He is survived by his mother, brother, four sisters, five children, his wife and seven grandchildren.

Paying tribute last week, Mr Din’s family said he was “a loving husband and a doting father of five children”.

“Nazim had much to live for and did not deserve to die in the way that he did,” the family said. “He was a law-abiding and peaceful man.”