Five water wells have been built in Pakistan to provide safe drinking water in honour of a student who passed away on campus last year. 

Mohammed Farraj, who studied medicine at the University of East Anglia, was fatally injured at the Sportspark in October 2024.

Over £22,000  has been raised through student and community fundraising since his death, with over 800 people in Pakistan benefiting from the donation.

The funds were also used to upgrade a solarised village water supply in Chittra Topi Bagh district in Pakistan, which serves over 3,700 people in households, a girls’ school, a rural health centre, and mosques.  

£8,397  was also raised for a masjid, or mosque, project and the distribution of  over 50 Qur’ans.  

UEA Islamic Society (ISOC) said that the initiative was a reflection of what a community can achieve when it comes together in compassion and that the projects show the values Mohammed lived by.  

The Student Affairs Officer of ISOC, Mohammed Shirwa, said: “Mohammed was someone who was driven and always sought to do good for others.

“After his passing, the way people came together showed just how much he meant to individuals across the entire community.”  

Shirwa thinks the ongoing charity after his passing reflects the concept of ‘Sadaqah Jariyyah’ in Islam.

“The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that while a person’s life may end, the reward of continuous charity and beneficial deeds can carry on.

“Seeing these projects completed in Mohammed’s name reflects one of the best examples of this teaching in action.

“The impact made through clean water and other initiatives will, God willing, continue to benefitothers for years to come.” 

Image Credit: Mohammed Shirwa