from P A Hameed Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network, Saudi Arabia
Dammam, Feb 6: The funeral rite of the murdered Sheikh Riyaz Sheikh Abdullah (alias Iftikhar) was held in Dammam cemetery in 91 area on Monday, February 5 around 1 pm in the presence of a huge gathering including his relatives, friends and his sponsor Hussein Abdullah Al Suleiman.
The burial was conducted soon after the Janaza Prayer (prayer for the forgiveness of the deceased) performed in Dammam Rayhan Mosque.
Sheikh Riyaz alias Iftikhar
Sheikh Riyaz was brutally stabbed on January 28 in the heart of Dammam city of the Eastern Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and died as a result of multiple abrasions that caused excessive bleeding.
The four Saudis and two Bangladeshis and other suspects have been arrested and put behind bars in this connection by the police within 6 hours of the crime. Prima facie, three accused - two Saudis and a Bangladeshi are accused of the murder.
They have reportedly confessed to the murder before the CCIB (Commissioner of Crime Investigation Board) situated at Al-Khaleej area in Dammam. A thorough investigation will held by the CCIB when heinous crimes are committed in the Kingdom.
Unlike the Indian Evidence Act, the confession made before the police or CCIB is admissible in the Court of Law in the Kingdom. If the guilt is proved in the Shariah Court, then the accused will be convicted and sentenced for execution as per Shariah Law of the Kingdom, unless pardoned by the close relatives of the victim.
In this case, the star consent of the mother of Sheikh Riyaz is necessary if she wills to pardon the offenders, in case the judgment for the death sentence is awarded against the offenders by the Court. If she refuses, then the order of the execution will be implemented under the due process of law of the Kingdom. The investigation is still being carried out by CCIB.
Daijiworld correspondent was told when he visited the Dammam Central Hospital where the body was kept in the mortuary that the murder was committed only for money. On January 28, around 1.30 pm, when Riyaz was about to open the door of his room in the upper floor of the building situated near Sheiko Building in Dammam, four Saudis followed him. Information of his movements was give by some Bangladeshis who were said to have been involved in illegal activities in the vicinity.
The four assailants attacked him from the rear and stabbed him eleven times piercing his gullet, chest, abdomen and other parts of the body. This caused severe bleeding which resulted in his death.
It was said that Sheikh Riyaz was screaming for quite a long period for help from neighbors but no one cane to his aid. He thus lay in a pool of blood and only after some time someone took him to the nearby Safa Hospital, where he breathed his last.
Daijiworld correspondent was able to meet and appreciate his sponsor Hussein Abdullah Al Suleiman, who was very sympathetic, humanitarian and cooperated hand-in-hand with the relatives and friends of the deceased in all respects including in getting the Saudi government officials formalities done quickly.
The friends and relatives of the deceased have appreciated the sponsor's humane and big-hearted gesture and his being there as to console the brother and other relatives of the deceased. He shared his feelings and said, "It is my personal opinion that no sympathy is needed to be shown to the murderer since their criminal motive was clear to kill Riyaz for money and they had stabbed him for eleven times causing multiple injuries on various parts of the body."
He continued: "The culprits will for sure be beheaded for their beastly act since there is less chance in the Kingdom for those criminals to go scotfree from the legal clutches". His cooperation with the support of the police in tracing the accused was highly appreciated by the relatives and friends of the killed. Hathim Kana (Kanchi), Rahim Kavoor and others have expressed gratitude for his attachment and efforts wholeheartedly.
His presence and earnest work during the funeral ritual was highly commended by many Mangaloreans.
Many expressed their commiseration over the untimely death of Sheikh Riyaz, who was known for his politeness and kindness and prayed for his eternal soul to be in peace. So also they are in anticipation of the justice to the family of the murdered.
Earlier despatches: