Dubai: Students and faculty members at Middlesex University held a commemorative service on Sunday afternoon in memory of the three college students who died in a fatal car crash on the early hours of March 12.
The three men, Mohammad Shifam Mustafa, Ashmid Ashraf and Mohammad Sunoon, were all buried in Kerala on Sunday, said a spokesperson from the UAE Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC).
The bodies of the three friends were flown to Kerala on Saturday morning and they were buried at 11.30am UAE time.
The three university students were returning to Dubai after a short holiday in Fujairah when they were killed in a crash on the Al Dhaid-Al Madam Road. An Arab national, whose car was involved in the collision early Saturday, is being treated for serious injuries at Al Dhaid Hospital.
At the university in Dubai, professors, students, and faculty members gathered at the main hall wearing black ribbon pins, to pay tribute to the deceased students.
After observing a moment of silence, flowers were stacked under the students’ pictures.
Dr Fehmida Hussain, acting managing director at the university, told Gulf News two of these students attended Middlesex University, and were active in the student body, and the third was a student at another university. Ashraf was a freshman studying accounting and finance, while Mustafa was a sophomore studying business management.
“We as a university are extremely sombre and sad with this shocking and tragic news. Our prayers and deepest condolences goes out to the families of the deceased. We can’t take the pain away, but we are here to support in any possible way,” said Hussain.
The university psychologist and council will be present on campus at all times to speak to students affected by the tragedy, Hussain said.
Friends say goodbye
Jumana Abdul Rahman, first-year law student, told Gulf News she will miss both her friends, Ashraf and Mustafa, whose deaths came as a shock to her.
“I met them both through common friends, and was very shocked to hear the news that I thought must be a joke. It is hard to see someone one day and find out that they passed away the next. We are all in shock,” said Abdul Rahman.
Mourning her friends, Abdul Rahamn said she will remember Mustafa’s passion for fitness and love for eating, and will always think of Ashraf as “the nice, quiet guy who always smiled”.
The student said another tribute to the deceased would be held at the university’s youth festival on March 24.
Rushadh Metha, second-year student with a major in accounting and finance, also noted Mustafa’s calm and quiet nature. “I will remember him as the perfect gentleman, he said, adding that he that he last saw his friend two days ago.
In light of the incident, Hussain pointed out that faculty members will be speaking to students about the importance of safety on the road and providing them with instructions on how to drive responsibly.
“The university’s message on safe driving goes out to not only our students but to every driver on the road. It takes a split second to make the wrong judgement, and that can be prevented by being more vigilant,” said Hussian.
She also added that the university is looking to create workshops and talks for the students on road safety.
“The government is taking lots of initiatives to promote safe driving, and it’s our role as the community, academics, universities, and other authorities to spread awareness and make our UAE roads safer for all our boys and girls,” said Hussain.
Burial arrangements
Earlier on Sunday in Kerala, Shifam Mustafa was buried at Kalarikal Juma mosque burial grounds in Kannur district, while Ashmid Ashraf was buried at the Parakaddu Juma mosque burial grounds in Kozhikode. Mohammad Sunoon was buried at the Farooq mosque burial grounds in Kozhikode, confirmed the KMCC spokesperson. They were given a tearful farewell by heart-broken families that were still in shock over their deaths, with several friends and neighbours in attendance of the funeral services.
Shifam Mustafa’s father, Mostafa C.K.V., who spoke to Gulf News from Kozhikode, reminisced about his son: “Shifam, my eldest son, elder to two brothers and one sister, was an extremely handsome and generous boy who would always reach out to help a lot of friends and strangers. He had a large circle of friends and Mohammad Sunoon and Ashmid were his closest buddies. He was so popular that we would have his teachers from kindergarten come home even now. He studied at t Our Own Indian High School and was bright, so much so that he earned a part scholarship in his college at Middlesex. He was to complete his BBA and join our family business — the Micro Group. It is difficult for me to accept my son is no longer with us.”
Shifam’s mother, Nazira Mustafa, was inconsolable. “Shifam was the apple of her eye and did not even venture as far as Bur Dubai from Deira without seeking her permission. They had a very strong bond and it is really hard on her,” said Mustafa.
The three Dubai students were killed in a fatal road accident on the Al Dhaid-Al Madam Road in Sharjah on March 11 at around midnight after returning from a short holiday when the mishap occurred.
Police said they received the call at 1.25am, and that all three boys were killed on the scene.
They also confirmed that the vehicle carrying the students, which caused the accident, entered the road from a prohibited area without making sure that the road was clear and collided with another vehicle driven by an Arab man.
The other driver, identified as A.S.M., sustained serious injuries and was moved to Al Dhaid Hospital for treatment.