People gathered on Saturday evening (November 20) for a tribute in memory of a KU student who was murdered whilst trying to save someone’s life.
Ali Abucar Ali, 20, died on Albany Parade Brentford, when he stepped in to save a woman in a stabbing incident.
Michael Kwentoh, 40, who organised Ali’s vigil near to where the incident occurred on November 12, said in a speech: “His death was a tragedy for us all, his name will forever be remembered in our community.”
The pair were both coaches at Chiswick Gators youth basketball club which Ali helped form and where he dedicated much of his time on his way home from university.
Kwentoh said: “I will never meet a soul as pure as Ali was, he was a driven individual who
wanted the best out of everyone else.”
Hundreds of people witnessed as the darkening sky was lit up by candles in Ali’s honour,
followed by a two-minute silence. Twenty balloons were later released in celebration of the years he lived, followed by a round of applause.
Ali was a second-year finance student who aspired to become an accountant after graduation.
Former school friend Abdul Mohammed said he has not come to terms with the death of his friend. “He was so caring, and always put others before himself. We should all learn from his character, a true hero.
“I’ve known him since I was 10, he was a lot more mature, so he would be around my older brother, he was also such a hard worker, and great all-rounder in sports.
“I remember every time we made our way to the train station from school, we would sing along to 90s music, which was our guilty pleasure, and to think we will never share moments like this again makes me devastated.”
Ali promised to one day build a mosque and his family has set up a gofundme page. Over £100,000 have been raised by generous donors around the world to honour his dream.
Anyone looking to support the family can donate through their gofundme page Sadaqah jariyah for our brother Ali Abucar Ali.
Balsam Maki
James Woodham
Dharmi Dave