A PROMINENT figure in Britain's Caribbean-Islamic society died at his family's home in Cumbria of natural causes, an inquest heard.

Mohamed Zareen Kayyam, 87, died from chronic kidney disease on June 12, 2022, at the home of his son Imtaz and daughter-in-law Margaret at their home in Kirksanton, Millom.

He moved to Kirksanton at the request of his family so they could care for him as his mental and physical health declined, the inquest was told.

According to an antecedent statement submitted by Margaret and read by Assistant Coroner for Cumbria Craig Smith, Mr Kayyam was one of a small group who founded the Caribbean-Islamic Society in London in the 1980s - in recognition of which he was twice invited to Buckingham Palace with the High Commissioner of Guyana.

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Mr Kayyam was born in Windsor Forest at a plantation on the Demerara River in what was formerly British Guyana as one of six children and trained as a goldsmith there in his father's business before marrying Jameda in 1953.

They had two sons in Guyana before emigrating to England in 1960, living in Ladbroke Grove in West London, "where most of the West Indian immigrants were placed".

He worked as a machine operator and for various warehouse companies before they managed to buy their own home in 1969, moving to Greenford in Middlesex, and later to Ealing, where he became involved with distinction in the cultural and community activities that gained him royal recognition.

His wife Jameda died in 2017, and Margaret added: "My husband Imtaz visited every month from Cumbria and in January 2022 we became concerned for his father's mental and physical wellbeing and in February 2022 we moved him permanently to Cumbria where we cared for him full time."

Dr Craig Stangroom from Waterloo House Surgery at Millom offered a cause of death of chronic kidney disease.

His worsening renal function become apparent following tests conducted in June and caused increasing frailty, the inquest heard.

Dr Stangroom said he advised hospital admission but after discussion Mr Kayyam and his family declined, understanding that he would likely die at home, and requested palliative care.

Mr Smith accepted the conclusion of death by natural causes, and addressing Imtaz and Margaret, said: "You took on that responsibility to look after your dad and see him through those final stages, so I hope he was comfortable - credit to you."

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