'Perfect gentlemen' gone too soon, say classmates

Dubai - Described as the "perfect gentlemen" by friend and fellow student, the lives of the victims, will be celebrated at the university with the festival's slogan: 'Celebrating the Spirit of Youth'.

A minute's silence will be observed during the Youth Festival of Middlesex University Dubai to mourn the students who were tragically killed in a car crash in Sharjah on Friday night.
Described as the "perfect gentlemen" by friend and fellow student, Jumana Abdu Rahman, the lives of the 19-year-old victims, Ashmid Ashraf, Shifaam Musthafa and their friend, Mohammed Sunoon, will be celebrated by both students and faculty at the university, in theme with the festival's slogan: 'Celebrating the Spirit of Youth'.
In a statement to Khaleej Times on Saturday, Middlesex University Dubai Student Council, said: "Ashmid and Shifaam, who tragically lost their lives this weekend, were undergraduate students here at Middlesex University. Our students mourn their loss and we offer deep condolences to their families and friends. May they rest in peace."
Communications officer for the Student Council, Ibrahim Hanif, said though he did not know the boys personally, he found out about their tragic death through a fellow student.
"One of our Youth Festival participants brought forward the news. We are in the middle of Mdx's biggest internal extracurricular festival. Our student activities department has decided to observe a minute of silence before each event and we (coordinators/volunteers) will be wearing ribbons to show our support and mourn their loss."
Friday's accident took place when the boys were returning from a friend's place in Al Madam.
Hard to believe
Fellow Indian student and friend of Ashmid and Shifaam, Jumana Abdu Rahman, said she still cannot digest the fact that two of her friends have passed away.
"I was sleeping. When I woke up I saw a missed call from Mufeed, a close friend of both guys, and I was wondering why he called me so early in the morning - at 7am."
Jumana said she called back but to no avail. But shortly after she received a message which floored her.
"He messaged me saying that Shifaam and Ashmid passed away. For a second I was like 'what is he saying? Is this a joke?' I was so shocked." When she finally spoke with Mufeed, he confirmed the news that both boys were involved in an accident on Friday night, which killed them.
"I couldn't do anything for a second but just close my eyes and think of both of their faces. They're both really nice guys, really helpful and really funny. They'll surely be missed." Calling Ashmid the "silent guy" and Shifaam the "fitness fanatic", Jumana said they were both "perfect gentlemen".
"Shifam and I would always make fun of each other. I still can't believe this has happened so fast and quick. I will always remember both, especially Shifam. He was a great friend."
Mohamed Mufeed, 23, a close friend of both Ashmid and Shifaam, last spoke to the boys just two days ago.
"A few of us were planning a trip to the Wadis, but Ashmid and Shifaam said they had to reschedule because they had other plans," he told Khaleej Times.
Though it is "still hard to believe", Mufeed said, he first heard the news through a friend.
"There were two cars travelling that night. Ashmid, Shifaam and Sunoon were in the first car and three of our other friends were in the second car. It was a friend from the second car who informed me of the accident."
Speaking from the Medical Fitness Centre at Sonapur Labour accommodation where the bodies were being embalmed, Mufeed said he was waiting to pay his respects to his friends.
"I met Shifaam's family, they are tense and very sad. They expect the bodies will be flown back to India later tonight (Saturday) or tomorrow (Sunday)."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah