Latest news with #MajedAbalkhail
Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
‘Hard truth': UK becoming an unsafe destination, warns uncle of slain Saudi student
LONDON: Britain is losing its reputation for being a safe education and travel destination, the uncle of a Saudi student who was stabbed to death in Cambridge has told The National. Mohammed Yousef Al-Qassem, 20, was killed in the city's Mill Park last Friday in what police described as an 'unprovoked attack.' He was on a 10-week placement course at EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private English-language school. Chas Corrigan, 21, was charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place. Majed Abalkhail, Al-Qassem's uncle, said family members have traveled to Cambridge to repatriate his body. 'Mohammed's father is in Cambridge, accompanied by some of his brothers, to follow up on the procedures for bringing Mohammed home, in coordination with the Saudi Embassy,' he added. In comments to The National, Abalkhail conveyed his 'deep frustration and growing anger' over the state of law and justice in Britain. The country, long viewed by Saudis as a top destination for education and tourism, is quickly gaining a reputation for lawlessness and insecurity, he said. 'People from various countries, including many in the Arab world, are seriously rethinking any plans to visit or study in the UK,' Abalkhail added. 'This is the hard truth being spoken in private conversations and social circles — and it's time it was said out loud. 'Britain is rapidly losing its global reputation, not just as a center of education, but even as a travel destination. 'Sadly, Britain is becoming a symbol of lawlessness, insecurity and government failure, and this perception is spreading fast among people of all backgrounds.' He paid tribute to the deceased and said the 20-year-old, a 'calm, kind-hearted young man,' had dreamed of becoming a doctor. Al-Qassem's killing follows the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Mohammed Afzal in the town of Bury last week. Abalkhail said the fatal attacks reveal a 'dangerous environment plagued by theft, stabbings and violent crime' in Britain. Al-Qassem's school said it is 'deeply saddened' by his death. Various police statistics, particularly those for London, have shown a rise in crime in recent years, amid growing public anger over the state of law and justice in the country. In the year to March 2025, authorities recorded 6.6 million crimes, up from 4.2 million a decade ago. There were 22,000 knife-related crimes in the same period, a notable increase from 14,000 in 2015. In 2024, there were almost 17,000 knife offenses, a figure that has almost doubled in a decade.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Arab News
Family of Saudi student killed in UK pay tribute to ‘best of brothers'
RIYADH: Family and friends of Mohammed Al-Qasim, the 20-year-old Saudi student who was stabbed to death in Cambridge, UK on Friday, have been sharing their condolences and memories online. His relatives have also set up a fundraiser to provide families in need in Saudi Arabia with clean water as a tribute. At the time of writing it had raised more than SR30,000 ($8,000). Al-Qasim was on a 10-week placement at the EF International Language Campus in the city when he was killed. Two men from Cambridge have been arrested on suspicion of murder and assisting an offender. Al-Qasim's uncle, Majed Abalkhail, said on X that his nephew's death 'has been a huge shock for all of us — especially since Mohammed came to Cambridge as a student, carrying nothing but dreams and hopes for the future.' 'We truly hope … that this will be the last such tragedy, and that full justice will be served, with everyone responsible held fully accountable. May Allah have mercy on Mohammed and grant him the highest place in paradise.' Abalkhail described his nephew as 'a young man raised upon goodness, and our hearts still weep over his loss.' Al-Qasim's sister, Jana, wrote on X that he was 'a man worth a thousand men, the true meaning of support, strength, and dignity.' 'I never knew the taste of fear for a single day, because I knew Mohammed was my backbone and my support after Allah,' she said. 'With the magnitude of his pride and love for me, I was proud of him and loved him many times more. Since our childhood, I would hear that brothers often annoy, quarrel, and fight with their siblings, but by Allah, he never raised his voice at me once, and I never saw from him anything but kindness and love.' Another sister, Thekra, said: 'O Allah, your servant Mohammed Al-Qasim was the best of brothers. Kind, gentle, and fearful of you among us. He never once raised his voice since the day my mother gave birth to him until you took him back to you.' Abdallah Al-Matrafi, who described himself as a neighbor of the family, said on X that Al-Qasim's 'late father, his brothers and his sons are among the finest people we have known in manners, character, appreciation, respect, and good neighborliness.' 'To this day, we remember them fondly, and we will continue to do so for the rest of our lives.' Professor Fahad Al-Olayan said: 'May Allah have mercy on Mohammed. I was honored to have him as one of my students at the university last semester. He was a hardworking student, eager to learn.' Nawaf Al-Darrab, a friend of Al-Qasim, said he knew the young man to be 'close to Allah … always smiling, committed to his prayers, and forgiving toward everyone.' 'Until we meet again, my beloved and my brother, in the highest paradise with the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous — what an excellent company they are.' In a public statement, his family described Al-Qasim as a 'young man brimming with enthusiasm, with chivalry, and courage,' and said he was 'the family's charisma' and 'his father's support.' 'He was the most compassionate person to ever visit a mother's heart,' they said. The fundraiser set up in Al-Qasim's name can be found at
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Family of Saudi Arabian student, 20, who was stabbed to death outside luxury Cambridge apartments say Britain 'is no longer safe' for visitors: Man, 21, is charged with murder
The family of a Saudi Arabian student who was stabbed to death in Cambridge has warned the UK is 'no longer safe' for visitors. Mohammed Algasim, 20, was pronounced dead at Mill Park at 12.01am on Saturday following what police described as an 'unprovoked attack'. Chas Corrigan, 21, has since been charged with murder. Ms Algasim's heartbroken family paid tribute to 'a young man brimming with enthusiasm, brimming with chivalry and courage'. His uncle, Majed Abalkhail, has now also spoken out to say he hope's the tragic death will 'prompt serious reflection on public safety and the protection of innocent lives'. He told The National: 'Many people, both in the UK and abroad, have expressed growing concerns about the rise in violent crime in Britain, and we believe the country is no longer a safe destination for students or tourists. 'We hope this incident will prompt serious reflection on public safety and the protection of innocent lives.' Mr Abalkhail went on to describe his nephew as a 'calm, kind-hearted young man, loved and respected by everyone who knew him'. The comments come as 21-year-old Chas Corrigan, from Cambridge, has been charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place. He appeared before Peterborough Magistrates' Court today and was remanded in custody until a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday. A 50-year-old man, also from Cambridge, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. He remains in custody. Police were called to the scene at 11.27pm following reports of violence. The street, near Cambridge railway station, consists largely of luxury apartment blocks. EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, said it was 'deeply saddened' to confirm one of its adult students had died. In a statement, Mr Alqassem's family added: 'He was a dutiful son, a loving brother, and the leader of the family in spirit, not in appearance. 'He was cheerful, chivalrous, pure of heart, quick to give, and passionate about others. 'Over time, he became the family's charisma, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy in every gathering. 'He was his father's support, his familiar companion, and the assistant to his uncles and maternal uncles. 'He was the most compassionate person to ever visit a mother's heart and the closest to his sisters' embrace.' Floral tributes have been left on the pavement outside one of the buildings as mourners pay their respects to the student. A message, on a piece of paper taped to a barrier behind the tributes, said 'may your soul be at peace' and had heart shapes drawn on it. It also said 'inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un', which is an Arabic phrase meaning 'to God we belong and to Him we return'. Police said that Mr Algasim, from Saudi Arabia, had been on a ten-week placement studying in Cambridge. EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, said it was 'deeply saddened' to confirm one of its adult students had died. Cambridgeshire Police said on Monday that it is believed Mr Algasim was 'stabbed in an unprovoked attack'. A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Tuesday.
