'He wanted to be a father so much': Pregnant widow of man killed in Birmingham riots tells of her loss

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 11:59 AM on 14th August 2011

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The pregnant widow of murdered Shahzad Ali has revealed her heartache over losing her 'soulmate' and revealed he had dreamed of children.

The businessman, 30, was overjoyed when he found out wife Khansa, 22, was expecting their first child.

But their dreams of starting a family life together were shattered when Shahzad, his brother Abdul Musavir, 31, and their pal Haroon Jahan, 20, were murdered defending their community in Winson Green.

The men died after being hit by a car in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after the second night of rioting in the city.
Darling son: Shahzad Ali with his mother Rukaya Begum on his wedding day to his wife Khansa



A distraught Khansa spoke for the first time about her loss and her heartache that her tender husband will never meet his child.

'He wanted to be a father so much,' she said.

'I cherished Shahzad. He was my soulmate, I am devastated he has gone. I'm heartbroken.

'When we found out I was expecting, Shahzad was so happy. He wanted to be a father so much and started making plans about how our child would be brought up straight away.

'He wanted to make sure he or she was given a great education and never wanted for anything.'

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Khansa and Shahzad married in Pakistan in April 2010 in a traditional Muslim wedding.

As she flicked through their wedding album, the four months pregnant widow explained how selfless her late husband was.

'Shahzad was so loving, but we would always have so much fun together,' explained Khansa.
Desperate to be a father: Shazad Ali, centre, will never meet his child after he and friend Haroon Jahan, left and his brother Abdul Musavir died after they were mowed down by a car while protecting their community

Desperate to be a father: Shazad Ali, centre, will never meet his child after he and friend Haroon Jahan, left and his brother Abdul Musavir died after they were mowed down by a car while protecting their community

'On my birthday after we were married I was still in Pakistan and he had come back to England.

'But even though he wasn't there, he still made it really special for me. He ordered a lovely cake to be delivered at midnight while he was on the phone to me.

'He really spoilt me. He would never spend money on himself and saved it for his family.

'Musavir was so happy that he was going to become an uncle again as well.'

The brother's mother Rukaya Begum, 55, says her hardworking sons made her proud.

'I felt the earth had caved in underneath me and the sky had fallen on top of me,' she said.

'Both my sons were wonderful men. I had great relationships with both of them.

'Shahzad was such a good boy and never argued with me. He always said 'whatever my mum says is right'.'

'Musavir was also a good boy. He cared for me so much and would always give me hugs and kisses.

'He was also a little mischievous too and very quick thinking.

'Both of my sons were very popular and everyone really loved them.'
Loved by all: A young Shahzad Ali (centre), enjoying a birthday party with his family

Loved by all: A young Shahzad Ali (centre), enjoying a birthday party with his family

Mrs Begum described the tragic night and how her sons had met with community members to gather near a petrol station on Dudley Road so they could protect their area.

'They were worried about the safety of the community and the businesses after they heard that one of the betting shops had had a window broken,' she said.

'They kept on phoning home, saying not to come out to the streets for our own safety.

'They just wanted to be strong for their community.'

But despite their hopes of a peaceful night, the brothers and their friend were killed when they were hit by a car.

Mrs Begum said the family have strong faith in the justice system to track down those responsible for the death of her beloved boys.
The community have been leaving tributes after the popular trio, who wanted to to defend their homes, were hit during the Birmingham riots

The community have been leaving tributes after the popular trio, who wanted to to defend their homes, were hit during the Birmingham riots

'We believe those responsible will be punished, but will their sentence be harsh enough' she said.

'Will they be living a cushy life in prison, playing games, having their meals cooked for them for just 16 years?

'Their punishment needs to be severe.

'Even David Cameron has said we have to deal with the criminals in a harsher way.'

The Prime Minister visited Birmingham earlier this week, but he is still to make contact with the family.

Since the killings, the entire community has banded together, with Sikhs, black, and white people uniting.

Qudoos, brother of Shahzad and Musavir, told how youngsters had created T-shirts in memory of the three dead with 'Rest in Peace' written on them and raised £2,600. 'These children set up in the petrol station where they were killed and sold them to the public, raising the cash,' he explained.

'That money will go towards three wells that are being built in Somalia in memory of my brothers and Haroon. This is part of an ongoing charity project that we have been working on.'

Cousin Sobia Nazia, 29, added: 'Shahzad, Musavir, and Haroon are martyrs and will always be known as courageous for what they did for their community.

'They died defending those they love and have left this earth with dignity.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2025717/UK-riots-2011-Shazad-Alis-pregnant-widow-tells-man-killed-Birmingham-unrest-wanted-father.html#ixzz1V19iE2X0