A football match has been held in memory of a 26-year-old man who was killed by his neighbour in a “completely mindless and unprovoked attack".
The inaugural Nahid Charity Cup took place on June 26, with the community event hailed for its anti-knife crime message and call for peace.
Nahid’s family have worked and campaigned to stamp out knife crime ever since Nahid was stabbed in Holbrook Close, Enfield, in September 2020.
This tournament was the latest in a series of events, with a host of community figures turning out to show their support.
Joining Nahid’s family were Ponders End FC players Abdul Komor, Amran Ahmed and Abul Hussain, and Raju Ahmed and Mujib Rahman, who are president and assistant secretary of Enfield Masjid respectively.
Referees Aslam Hussain and Shakeel Wahid presided over the match between Team Nahid and Impact FC, which went all the way to a penalty shootout and was eventually won by the latter.
Speaking at the game, Nahid’s mother Rushanara said: “I am a mixture of emotions today. We all miss Nahid terribly. He was taken away too soon. If this football tournament saves one life and the tears of a single mother then our blessed efforts would have been worth it.
“God bless Nahid and God bless you all for your love.”
Plans are under way to make this cup an annual fixture. In light of his nephew's murder, Nahid’s uncle Mo has worked alongside volunteers and Enfield Youth Service to open ACE youth club, which supports nearly 200 youngsters with free activities.
Abdi Ibrahim Osman, 43, of Purcell House, Holbrook Close, is serving a 23-and-a-half year sentence for the murder of Nahid.
Nahid had been speaking to his girlfriend inside his car after spending the day with his family when he was stabbed by Osman, who appeared to be drunk and was being abusive.
Read more: Man who fatally stabbed his neighbour in Enfield jailed
After the sentencing, Rushanara described her son as “her whole world” and a “good person, very well-liked and respected, hardworking, and devoted to his family”.
Police said the attack on Nahid was “mindless and unprovoked”.
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