Islamophobic attack?: Pakistani murdered in Germany laid to rest in Karachi

Faheem had left FB Area neighbourhood during the violent days of 1992

KARACHI:

A Pakistani-origin German Muhammad Faheemuddin, 58, who was stabbed to death at his home in the Ulm city of Germany on Friday, was laid to rest at the Sakhi Hasan graveyard on Monday.

The deceased’s family and neighbours insist that the attack was prompted by religious and racial hatred.

A German male, had barged onto Faheem’s home and attacked him and his family with a big dagger on Friday. Faheem died in the attack, while his wife and 13-year old daughter sustained injuries and were said to be out of danger. His two daughters had saved their lives by hiding from the attacker in the house.

Responding to emergency call, police had rushed to the spot and shot the assailant dead. The German authorities have claimed that the attacker was mentally ill. However, the family of the deceased were demanding the Pakistani government to push for a thorough inquiry.

Faheem’s body was brought to Karachi by International Cargo to his old neighbourhood of FB Area he had fled in 1992.

A large number of relatives, friends, and people of the neighbourhood, attended the funeral prayer.

After the janaza prayers, Faheem’s neighbour in Germany, Ahmed Saeed, talking to The Express Tribune said that the assailant had a history of fighting with people of foreign origin. However, he was being declared a mentally ill person, which was questionable, he said.

Saeed said that Faheem’s two daughters, who remained safe in the attack, have moved in with his family.

Humayun Mehboob, Faheem’s childhood friend and neighbour lamented the loss of a good person who had escaped Karachi during the worst law and order situation of 1992 to raise a family in safe environs of Germany, sadly he fell victim to racial hatred even there.

According to the family and friends Pakistan Embassy officials were cooperative and Pakistani Consul General in Frankfurt Ali Zahid had expressed condolence with the aggrieved family and assured them of all assistance. Faheem’s family and community say they want the culprit to be punished.