A FORMER Imam who died when the car he was driving ploughed into a house has been praised as a ‘brilliant’ man who educated many young people.

The tributes came as 1,000 family and friends attended Pleasington Cemetery for the funeral of popular tour operator Hafiz Allahrakhu Satia.

The father-of-four was killed when his black Chrysler Avenger careered off the road close to the start of Grane Road on Monday, police said.

Speaking on behalf of the 47-year-old’s family, the principal of Blackburn’s Noor-ul-Islam mosque in Audley Range, Mufti Ashraf Sidat, paid tribute to the 'phi-lanthropist’ and ‘important community figure’.

He said: “Mr Satia was a key figure within the community.

“He was a brilliant ex-Imam who often led prayers. He also educated many young people.

“He was a successful phil-anthropist who led annual pil-grimages to Mecca and it is for this he will be especially missed.”

Mr Satia, crashed in Elton Road, Belthorn, close to The Pack bar and restaurant shortly after 3.30pm.

Despite the best efforts of fellow motorists and paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Satia, of Oxford Close, Blackburn, was the owner of internationally-known Satia (Hajj) Tours UK, which led annual pilgrimages to Mecca for more than two decades.

Mayor of Blackburn Coun Salim Mulla said: “It has to be said that this was one of the biggest funerals that has taken place for a long long time. People travelled from all corners of the UK to pay their respects to one of the leading and respected members of the comm-unity. His tours became models for other tour operators to follow. The Saudi Arabian Hajj establishment will also miss his wonderful humour and the contact and the connections he had.”

Mr Satia’s funeral was held on Wednesday, with more than 1,000 people attending Pleasington Cemetery. He leaves his wife Yasmin Satia, three sons aged 20 to 25 and an 18-year-old daughter.