He laid the foundation of a central stage for diverse British Muslims. The founder and Secretary General of the oldest British federal body in the UK, the Union of Muslim Organisations (UMO) Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha was one of the most respected Muslim leaders in the UK. After pursuing a promising career as an international legal consultant to the UN Indian delegation in New York, Dr. Pasha later moved to the UK and became involved in improving the services to the Muslim community. His achievement was his ability to see and bring together the burgeoning voices of British Muslim civil society. In 1970, Dr. Pasha founded the UMO - an umbrella body of 38 associations that grew up to 200 organisations. Dr. Pasha enhanced the community's connection with Government and public policy. He led the way in pushing through key reforms including state funding for Muslim schools, halal food provisions and prayer-rooms in schools, hospitals, prisons and places of work. Dr. Pasha was honoured an OBE by the Queen in 2005 for his services to the Muslim community in Britain. Born in Chennai (formerly Madras), India, Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha passed away after a long illness in London.