Birmingham fire attack victim Mohammed Rayaz was ‘looking forward to spending retirement with his grandchildren’ | UK News
The family of a grandfather who was set on fire while walking home from a mosque said he was in “unimaginable pain” for having been robbed of his chance to enjoy a “retirement” pension. time for my grandchildren.”
Mohammed Rayaz, 70, was the target at Shenstone Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Monday night.
He was dipped in an unknown substance and got off the bus on his way back from the Dudley Road mosque.
A statement from Mr Rayaz’s son, representing the family, said he was retired and wanted to spend his life “by praying and spending time with his grandchildren”.
The attacker “takes that thing away from him and causes him unimaginable pain”.
A friend of Mr. Rayaz has previously said that he has suffered a life change,”horrifying wound“.
His son said the family was “in shock and trying to understand why someone would do this”.
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Family friends update information about the man on fire
The suspect was charged with two counts of attempted murder
A man has been charged with attempted murder in the attack on Mr Rayaz.
Mohammed Abbkr, 28, appeared in court on Thursday and was remanded in custody until his next hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on April 20.
He is also charged with conspiring to murder another pensioner, Hashi Odowa, in a similar fire in Ealing, west London, last month.
The 82-year-old man was doused with liquid and set himself on fire after leaving the Islamic Center on Singapore Road.
He was taken to the hospital with severe burns to his face and arms.
Mr Rayaz’s son said his “thoughts are also with the victims and families of the Ealing attack”.
“I hope no one has to go through what our family is going through, because it has torn our family apart,” he added.
