Thousands of pounds raised in memory of UEA student who died at the gym

The money will be used to build wells in Pakistan

Sportspark
Author: Sian RochePublished 21st Oct 2024

Thousands of pounds have been raised in memory of a student at the University of East Anglia who died whilst in the gym there.

Medical student Mohammed Farraj was treated by paramedics on Wednesday night but died at the Sportspark.

Now the UEA Islamic Society's raised more than eight thousand pounds in his name - which they say will be used to build wells in Pakistan.

"He was kind, good and a practicing muslim"

In a post accompanying the fundraiser, the society's committee shared this statement:

"As you many of you know our dear brother Mohammed Farraj, has passed away. It was a shock to all of us, it was sudden and many of us are still in grief. He was ambitious, hard-working and so so smart. Most of all, he was kind, good and a practicing muslim.

"As muslims we believe that, charity on his behalf will be a means of continual reward during the grave, this is called Sadaqah jariyah.

"The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge and a child who prays for them.” (Muslim)

"Out of love for Mohammed, we wish to build water wells in his name, this means every time someone or something uses or drinks from the well, there will be a continual reward for him, this we hope will increase his ranks in paradise (jannah).

"We aim to build water wells with Human appeal, each water well costs £880 and will be used to install a deep water well in drought-hit communities in Pakistan.

"We hope that we will be able to build multiple wells, as many as we can, and if in the rare case any money is left over (that is unable to be complete a well); this money will go to other charitable causes."

What happened?

Mohammed died after a 'medical incident' at the University of East Anglia's Sportspark gym on Wednesday (16th October).

He was a student at Norwich Medical School.

His death's being treated as unexplained but not suspicious, and investigations are continuing, with Norfolk Police working alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Emergency services were called to the Sportspark gym shortly after 7pm following reports of a medical incident involving a man who had been using gym equipment.

Mohammed, in his 20s, was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene.

The gym was evacuated while emergency services treated the man.

In a statement on social media, the UEA Students' Union said they are deeply shocked by the incident:

UEA Students' Union statement

"Great sadness"

The University of East Anglia also released a statement saying they're 'providing support to all those affected':

"It is with great sadness that we can confirm that a Norwich Medical School student died at Sportspark on Wednesday evening.

The thoughts of all in the UEA community are with the student’s family and friends. We are providing support to all those affected.

Sportspark is currently closed and will remain closed on Friday 18 October. Sportspark will reopen on Saturday 19 October.

We are helping the authorities with their enquiries."

The Sportspark reopened on Saturday 19th October but the gym remains closed.

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