Solidarity march over student’s slaying

Locals and expatriates attend a march in Doha yesterday in solidarity with the family of Qatari teenager Mohamed al-Majed, who died in Britain last month

SCORES of locals and expatriates held a march at the Doha Corniche yesterday in solidarity with the family of a Qatari teenager who died in Britain last month after what police called a racially motivated assault.

“I have lived in this safe country for 20 years with my family… and it’s very sad that a Qatari citizen should die in this way,” organiser Gwen Newnham said during the brief rally.

She urged the British authorities to adopt a policy of “zero tolerance” towards such actions.

The family of 16-year-old Mohamed al-Majed have said they have faith the British police will bring his assailants to justice, as they travelled last week to the south coast resort of Hastings where he was attacked.

He died of head injuries sustained from hitting the pavement after an altercation on August 22 between his friends and a gang of local youths outside a kebab shop.

Witnesses said the student was kicked to death by drunken, hooded thugs in an unprovoked attack. Majed’s body was repatriated for burial in Qatar.

Yesterday’s march started from the Sheraton end of the Corniche. The group, including women and children, walked for about 10-15 minutes on the promenade.

Relatives and family members of the victim were also present.

Khalifa Haroon, a 24-year old Qatari who was instrumental in organising the march, told Gulf Times: “My whole family is still in a state of shock. We have been living next to the al-Majeds for decades.”

The organisers were satisfied with the turnout, saying: “It’s great to know expatriates as well as a large number of Qataris showed up, especially this being Ramadan and a hot day.”

The main groups behind the walk were ILQ (iloveqatar.net), Qatar Living and expatwomanqatar.com