HUDDERSFIELD man Yaqub Masih has become the first Asian to be made a lay canon in the Church of England.

Mr Masih, of Salendine Nook, has been appointed to the role by the Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Rev Stephen Platten.

The Bishop said Mr Masih had made a big contribution towards the church through his role as secretary general of the UK Asian Christian Fellowship.

A canon is a member of a body of priests at a cathedral church – called a chapter – headed by a dean.

The chapter is responsible for administering a cathedral and has legal responsibility for the cathedral and electing the bishop.

Lay canons are canons who have not taken holy orders.

Mr Masih said: “Being the first Asian Christian to be appointed to such a role is an honour.

“It is only an honorary role but there is some responsibility for the cathedral and I will probably have to be there for major events or big decisions.”

He has been involved with the fellowship since 1986 and has organised receptions to raise the profile of the fellowship and Asian Christians in general.

These receptions have taken place everywhere from the House of Lords and House of Commons to events in the local community.

Mr Masih has also worked to forge links with the Diocese of Faisalabad in Pakistan.

Mr Masih, who is also chairman of the Pakistani Christian Concern group in Huddersfield, said: “It is important to highlight Asian Christians because people in this country see an Asian person and assume they are Hindu, Sikh or Muslim and that’s not always the case.”

Mr Masih, who is a financial broker in Huddersfield, will be installed in his new role at the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Wakefield on May 3.

Also being made lay canon on the same day is Judge John Bullimore.

They will be installed in their roles before a congregation of around 1,000 people.

A large section of the guests will be Asian Christians and Muslims there in support of Mr Masih.

He said: “There will be a lot of Asian faces there, Christians and Muslims who have said they want to be part of the celebration and share the day with me.

“It is a rare opportunity for us to celebrate like this.”