270 people died in the air india plane crash in ahmedabad, gujarat on june 12. After identifying the dead, their last rites are being performed. A large number of people reached Haripura in surat to bid final farewell to british citizen Akil Nanabawa and his wife Hannah Voraji. It was around 1.30 in the night. The streets of surat were quiet and deserted but a large number of people had gathered outside Hasanji cemetery in Haripura area of the city. They had come to bid final farewell to Akil Nanabawa and his wife Hannah Voraji, who were among the 241 passengers killed in the air india plane crash in ahmedabad on june 12. Their 4-year-old daughter sara also lost her life in the same accident.
Aqeel's family's ties with surat are long-standing
Aqeel Nanabawa may have been a british citizen, but his family's ties with surat go back generations. A member of the Bohra community, he owned several properties in Surat. Nanabawa was a well-known and respected figure in the city. Aqeel was said to have always been warm to his neighbours. Aqeel's father Abdullah is yet to come to terms with the loss.
'I have no words to express my feelings'
"I have no words to express my feelings about my son and his family. Just a few days ago, we all celebrated Bakrid. I dropped him off in ahmedabad for his return flight to London. His trip was short, but the moments spent with him have become memorable for me and will always remain so," he said, as reported by the indian Express.
'Despite living abroad, Aqeel remained connected to his roots'
"He was always warm, gentle and friendly. Despite living abroad, he remained connected to his roots," Rashid, a family friend, said. Nanabava had lived in britain for decades. Abdulla returned to surat about 15 years ago, while his four sons and their mother stayed back in Gloucester. A neighbour said the four brothers - all british citizens - often visited surat to visit their father." As crowds gathered for namaz-e-janaza outside the cemetery in Surat's Haripura area, the mourners included clerics, social workers, relatives, friends and community members..jpg)
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