Latest news with #MohammedAlQasim
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Body of Saudi student killed in UK transferred to Makkah cemetery
The body of Mohammed Al-Qasim, who was fatally stabbed in Cambridge, the UK, last Friday, has been transferred to Al-Shuhada cemetery in Makkah, where he will be laid to rest, after prayers were held for him at the Grand Mosque, Al-Arabiya reported. Men can offer their condolences at the family's home in Makkah's Al-Alawi neighborhood between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Friday. Al-Qasim, a 20-year-old English language student, died after being stabbed just before midnight on Friday, Aug. 1. Two men were arrested following the incident: a 21-year-old from Cambridge on suspicion of murder, and a 50-year-old on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Funeral prayers for Saudi student killed in UK held in Makkah
Funerals prayers were held in Makkah for Saudi student Mohammed Al Qasim, who was allegedly killed in an unprovoked attack in the UK. Al Qasim was on a 10-week placement studying English in Cambridge, when the incident happened. The young man, who once was a devout volunteer serving pilgrims visiting the Kaaba in Makkah, will be buried in the same place he used to once serve. His funeral prayers took place on Friday after the Jummah prayers.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
‘Today it was Mohammed; who is next?' Family and friends reflect on killing of Saudi student in UK
MAKKAH/RIYADH: Relatives and friends have shared touching memories of a 20-year-old Saudi student who was killed in the UK last Friday. Those who knew Mohammed Al-Qasim described him as a kind young man who valued his family and was committed to his studies. A student at the University of Jeddah, after graduating from Al-Bushra High School, he had traveled to the UK to study English and broaden his horizons and had ambitions to pursue a career in industrial engineering. He died after he was stabbed during a late-night incident in the English city of Cambridge. 'His passing was a devastating shock to everyone,' his uncle, Abdulrahman Al-Qasim, told Arab News. 'Mohammed was deeply loved and left a lasting impression on all who knew him, especially as the only son to his parents, born after four daughters. 'He also leaves behind a younger brother who is still in middle school.' He said that the news of Mohammed's death had struck the family, from Jeddah, deeply but they were finding strength in their faith, adding: 'We had hoped he would return to us but nothing can change the will of Allah.' Several family members had traveled to the UK earlier in the summer to study English, Abdulrahman said. What happened to Mohammed 'is alarming,' he added, and suggested that it meant Britain could no longer be considered a safe destination for Saudi students. 'We extend our sincere gratitude to the officials at the Saudi Embassy for their ongoing support and efforts to expedite the repatriation process,' he said. Mohammed's cousin Walid Al-Qasim said the loss was 'deeply painful' and extended beyond the immediate family to touch the hearts of many Saudi families. ------ READ MORE: 'Hard truth': UK becoming an unsafe destination, warns uncle of slain Saudi student ------ 'Mohammed was deeply loved by his classmates and friends in the UK,' he said. 'Everyone spoke highly of his character and respectful conduct.' He condemned the incident that took his cousin's life as 'a horrific crime that cannot be justified under any circumstances.' Ibrahim Ali Al-Qasoumi, 22, was a close friend of Mohammed. They met in 2017 through the latter's cousin, and took regular fishing and camping trips together. 'He was like a brother to me,' Al-Qasoumi told Arab News. 'He was kind, gentle and had a big heart. You feel happy and safe when you're around him. He never said things about anyone and he never hurt anyone.' The news of Mohammed's death had come as a 'big shock,' he added. 'Friends like him are very rare. I'm very sad because he was killed for no reason … I hope no one has to feel this pain. 'I feel horrible. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't laugh. I was completely broken.' The incident has raised broader questions about the safety of young Saudis who travel and study abroad, and Al-Qasoumi said it has changed the way he feels about such activities. 'I love traveling and learning about new cultures,' he said. 'Mohammed also loved these things. We went to Turkey, Istanbul, in June 2024. We always talked about it. 'I was planning to go to London this December to celebrate New Year's Eve but after what happened I became very scared. I kept thinking, what if this happened to me too?' Al-Qasoumi said he will remember his friend as someone who loved his family, particularly his sister, and his country, was generous and 'always tried to help others and make people happy.' He recalled a time, just weeks before his death, when Mohammed had helped a 16-year-old boy lost on the streets of Cambridge. 'He paid for the boy's taxi and helped him home, and he didn't even know him,' Al-Qasoumi said. 'Everyone loved Mohammed. No one hated him. 'I have many videos and pictures of him and in all of them we are laughing and happy, making jokes and enjoying time. 'I hope we don't lose more young people like him. They are the future. Today it was Mohammed but who is next? I wish we never hear this kind of sad news again. I hope the killing stops in the world.' Al-Qasim was on a 10-week placement at the EF International Language Campus in Cambridge when he was killed. In a statement to Arab News, EF International Language Campuses Cambridge said: 'Mohammed was a bright and kind young man who quickly became a valued part of our community. He was known for his positivity, curiosity, and warmth toward everyone around him. 'During this difficult time, our focus remains on supporting Mohammed's family, our students and staff in any way we can. Our heartfelt condolences are with his loved ones. May he rest in peace.' Funeral prayers for Mohammed were expected to take place at Makkah's Grand Mosque on Friday, and he will be laid to rest at Al-Shuhada Cemetery. Local police arrested two men from Cambridge on Sunday in connection with Mohammed's death: a 21-year-old man on suspicion of murder, and a 50-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Gulf Today
Saudi student murdered in Cambridge, police charges British man
The Saudi Embassy in the UK has confirmed that it is investigating the assault of a Saudi citizen south of Cambridge that resulted in his demise. It has also stated that it is working with the relevant authorities to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. On Monday, Cambridge County Police announced that a 21-year-old man had been charged with premeditated murder and was suspected of being involved in the stabbing of Saudi student Mohammed Al Qasim in an incident that occurred south of Cambridge last weekend. In an official statement, the police said that the accused would appear in court at a later date to hear the charges against him. The authorities also reported the arrest of a 50-year-old man suspected of assisting the perpetrator following the crime. As part of the criminal investigation, an autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday. The police added that the attack is believed to have been unprovoked, and noted that Mohammed Al Qasim, a Saudi national, was in the United Kingdom to participate in a ten-week academic training programme in Cambridge. Separately, the Saudi Consulate General in Geneva has announced that, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, it has begun an investigation into the drowning death of a Saudi citizen in Lake Geneva. The Consulate has confirmed that it is coordinating with the relevant Geneva authorities on the procedures for transferring the body to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi family has been left devastated by the death of their son, Hassan Al Shehri, who drowned in Lake Geneva, Switzerland, two days after going missing. The 19-year-old student had rented a boat for a leisure trip on the lake, but was unable to escape and subsequently drowned. According to Saudi media, the student was studying economics at a university in Geneva.
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
