UK pays tribute to murdered Qatari student RELATIVES of Mohamed al-Majed who died following a racially motivated assault in Britain said they had faith the police would bring his attackers to justice during an emotional tribute yesterday. More than 20 members of the 16-year-old’s family travelled to the south coast resort of Hastings to witness hundreds of locals pay respects to the English language student. Balloons were released at the end of a two-minute silence, before relatives, including the victim’s father Abdullah Hussain al-Majed, walked to the scene of the attack to lay flowers and say prayers. Staff at the British embassy and British Council in Doha also observed a two-minute silence in memory of Mohamed yesterday to coincide with the action taken by the community in Hastings. Mohamed’s uncle Abdul Karim Mohsin, speaking on behalf of the family, said: “We have every faith in the political and legal institutions of this country and we believe that whoever committed this tragedy will be brought to justice sooner or later. “We only hope and pray that when we buried Mohamed, we buried with him all the hatred and all the malicious things. We pray to God that this will not be repeated again.” He said the family was touched by the reaction of locals, who turned out in the hundreds to remember Mohamed. “Really, I was amazed. I did not expect Hastings’ feelings to be so high,” the uncle said. “I don’t believe British society is full of hatred. For many generations, and centuries, many ethnic groups regardless of race and colour have lived here in harmony.” Remzi Tanriverdi, the owner of the kebab shop in which Mohamed had been on the night of his death, handed over a book of condolences to the teenager’s father – full of messages from both Mohamed’s friends and shocked local residents. Since the news of Mohamed’s tragic death broke, Hastings has been a town in shock. A host of national newspapers and television news programmes have been quick to criticise Hastings, labelling it a violent, drug infested racial battleground. Local MP Michael Foster said: “We have just commemorated in some way the sadness, the sorry and indeed the anger in our local community that such should have happened and that this young life should have been brought to an end so tragically. “Our whole community is at one in condemning any form of activities such as the ones which led to Mohamed’s death. “Mohamed came to Hastings as a very welcome visitor and we continue to welcome visitors from all over the world. “Our thoughts are with his family.” Witnesses said Mohamed was kicked to death by drunken, hooded thugs in an unprovoked attack on August 22. He was taken to hospital in south London, but died the next day. Sussex Police are investigating the assault as a racially-motivated murder. Detective Chief Inspector Graham Pratt said inquiries were progressing well and up to 30 officers were working on the case. Four local males, aged 17, 18, 18, and 20, have been arrested and released on police bail pending further inquiries. GT

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