UM Student’s Parents Miss Final Farewell While On Duty Abroad

By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The parents of Universiti Malaya (UM) student Ahmad Arif Zawir Mohd Ali, who died after an apparent fall from his residential college, were unable to bid him a final farewell as they were in Saudi Arabia serving as mutawifs (pilgrim guides).

Ahmad Arif was laid to rest at Mutmainah Muslim Cemetery in Pasir Gudang at 6.20 pm today, with more than 100 family members, friends and university representatives in attendance.

His brother Ahmad Auf, 35, said their parents, Mohd Ali Hashim, 63, and Roslina A. Rahman, 61, had left for the Holy Land on Oct 7 and were initially scheduled to return next Wednesday. However, they departed Jeddah at 2 pm today and are expected to arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at midnight.

“They found out about his passing through our family WhatsApp group. Although they couldn’t be here, we shared videos and photos of the burial with them,” he told reporters here.

Ahmad Arif, 22, a final-year student at UM’s Department of Fiqh Usul and Applied Sciences, Academy of Islamic Studies, was last seen on Oct 12 after being dropped off to begin the new semester.

“He said he missed Mum and Dad, but never got the chance to see them again,” said Ahmad Auf, adding that the family had come to terms with the loss, especially as he passed away on a Friday, which is regarded as a blessed day in Islam.

Ahmad Arif’s close friends described him as a cheerful, quiet and kind individual. Muhammad Faiz Fahmi Abdul Basir, 21, recalled that Ahmad Arif appeared happy when they last met, adding that his sudden passing had deep impact.

Asyrafuddin Arif Amaluddin Arip, 22, remembered him as a well-liked friend, often seen with a tasbih (Islamic prayer beads) and religious books, with no known enemies.

Earlier, Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Shamsudin Mamat confirmed that a post-mortem revealed the cause of death as severe head and chest injuries consistent with a fall, with no signs of foul play.

-- BERNAMA