IN THE NEWS
HUNDREDS GATHER FOR FUNERAL OF CARDIFF TAXI DRIVER AND SON WHO TRAGICALLY DIED IN BANGLADESH
Hundreds of mourners have gathered for the funeral of a Welsh taxi driver and his son who died in Bangladesh of a suspected poisoning.
Rafiqul Islam, 51, and Mahiqul, 16, were found unconscious with other members of the family in a flat on Tuesday, 26 July and died on the way to hospital. Police officers broke into the apartment in the morning when relatives raised the alarm after the family did not wake. Bangladesh Police said they believe the family could have been poisoned and launched an investigation. The streets of Mr Islam’s home village in Sylhet, in the east of the country, were lined with people on Thursday afternoon during the service. Mr Islam’s mother, Zarina Jobbar, and his brothers and sister attended, having
flown out to the country after news of the incident reached them. His wife, Husnara, 45, and their two children, Samira, 20 and Sadiqul, 24 remain in hospital. Sadiqul is said to be beginning to recover but Samira remains in a critical condition, accord- ing to friends of the family. Chair of Cardiff Bangladesh Society Salam Abdul said: “We are deeply sad- dened with the news of Rafiqul Islam and his son. May Allah grant them Jannah, and help the other family members who are fighting for their lives and who are in critical care.”
“This has shaken the community here in Cardiff,” he added. “Mr Islam was a lovely, delightful man who was a hard-working family man.” Mr Abdul and others have described Mr Islam as a “generous person” who was “always smiling and happy”. Muhibur Islam, from Jalalia Mosque and Islamic education centre, described Mr Islam as “a well-loved and well respected member of the community”. He said: “This is such an awful tragedy and we’re in utter disbelief.” A FCDO spokesperson said: “We are providing consular assistance to a British family following an incident in Bangladesh and are in contact with the local authorities.” PHTM sends condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Islam.
AUGUST 2022
25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
