Living with loss: BKU victim’s father fondly remembers son
Slain student’s father remembers son’s avid learning qualities
Mohammad Asif. PHOTO: FILE
CHARSADDA:
Mohammad Asif visited Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, on January 20 to collect his degree from the varsity.
This was supposed to be the 22-year-old’s last visit to his alma mater before he moved on with his life. However, the heinous designs of a few Taliban gunmen interfered with his dreams and Asif fell prey to the militant’s gun.
A resident of Sardheri, Charsadda, Asif had completed an undergraduate degree in business administration from BKU in 2015.
Chemistry teacher defies Taliban in Bacha Khan University attack
On January 19, he went to the university’s hostel to spend the night with a friend as he had to go and collect his degree the following morning.
Asif was asleep when militants attacked the university. Unable to escape, he was killed in the hostel along with his friends.
“We had sent our son to spend the night with his friend and collect his degree,” Haji Aurangzeb, Asif’s father, told journalists at his residence. “But we got his body in return.”
Bacha Khan University attack: Frantic relatives gather at hospital looking for loved ones
The morning of the attack, Asif called his father to alert him about the developing situation at the varsity. He then called his uncle and told him that terrorists were killing students.
Aurangzeb said Asif had memorised Quran in his childhood. “Along with modern education, he also attended a seminary to learn about his religion,” his father said.
Asif then went on to college and university.
“My son loved to learn,” Aurangzeb said. “Therefore, he also loved to teach.”
Asif was teaching Quran to children in his village and worked to spread education in the area.
“Asif was loved by all,” his father said. “Although I am extremely heartbroken at his sudden demise, I take comfort in knowing he died doing what he loved,” Aurangzeb added. “Asif knew Quran by heart. Why was he killed?”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2016.
Mohammad Asif visited Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, on January 20 to collect his degree from the varsity.
This was supposed to be the 22-year-old’s last visit to his alma mater before he moved on with his life. However, the heinous designs of a few Taliban gunmen interfered with his dreams and Asif fell prey to the militant’s gun.
A resident of Sardheri, Charsadda, Asif had completed an undergraduate degree in business administration from BKU in 2015.
Chemistry teacher defies Taliban in Bacha Khan University attack
On January 19, he went to the university’s hostel to spend the night with a friend as he had to go and collect his degree the following morning.
Asif was asleep when militants attacked the university. Unable to escape, he was killed in the hostel along with his friends.
“We had sent our son to spend the night with his friend and collect his degree,” Haji Aurangzeb, Asif’s father, told journalists at his residence. “But we got his body in return.”
Bacha Khan University attack: Frantic relatives gather at hospital looking for loved ones
The morning of the attack, Asif called his father to alert him about the developing situation at the varsity. He then called his uncle and told him that terrorists were killing students.
Aurangzeb said Asif had memorised Quran in his childhood. “Along with modern education, he also attended a seminary to learn about his religion,” his father said.
Asif then went on to college and university.
“My son loved to learn,” Aurangzeb said. “Therefore, he also loved to teach.”
Asif was teaching Quran to children in his village and worked to spread education in the area.
“Asif was loved by all,” his father said. “Although I am extremely heartbroken at his sudden demise, I take comfort in knowing he died doing what he loved,” Aurangzeb added. “Asif knew Quran by heart. Why was he killed?”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2016.