Cambridge police confirmed Mohammed Al-Qasim, a 20-year-old Saudi national who also served at Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, died from stab wounds in Mill Park shortly before midnight Friday.
The victim was on a 10-week language school placement in the city.
Shortly before midnight on July 26, emergency crews responded to calls of violence on Mill Park Crescent. They found Mohammed Al-Qasim with fatal stab wounds. Despite rapid medical attention, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chas Corrigan, 21, of Cambridge, faces murder and knife possession charges. He appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court Monday and remains in custody until Wednesday’s Crown Court hearing.
A 50-year-old local man is detained on suspicion of assisting an offender. Police explicitly labeled the incident an “unprovoked attack” with no evidence suggesting Al-Qasim provoked the violence.
The Saudi Embassy in London issued a statement Monday confirming it is “liaising with UK agencies to discover full circumstances” and facilitate repatriation of the body. “The embassy extends sincere condolences to the family,” the statement read.
He used to serve the visitors of the Masjid al Haram (Grand Mosque), and would distribute sweets in the Haram on the day of Eid.
Al-Qasim’s family described him as “a young man brimming with enthusiasm, chivalry, and courage.” In their official statement, they emphasized his role as “a dutiful son, loving brother, and spiritual leader of the family” who was “cheerful, pure of heart, and passionate about others.”
No additional suspects have been identified. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed a post-mortem examination will occur Tuesday. The investigation remains active, with forensic teams processing the Mill Park location.
Al-Qasim’s position at Al-Masjid Al-Haram—a role involving direct service to global pilgrims—was verified by Saudi religious authorities.
UK authorities confirmed cooperation with Saudi officials on all legal and logistical matters.
Mohammed Al-Qasim’s Funeral at Masjid al Haram
The Janazah Prayer for Mohammed Al-Qasim held in Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah, immediately following the conclusion of Jumu’ah prayers, which begin at 12:27 PM Makkah time this Friday.
The mosque authorities had officially announced that the funeral prayer took place after the Friday congregational service, allowed worshipers who gather for Jumu’ah to remain and participate in this final act of communal prayer for the deceased.
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Head of Religious Affairs for the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, offered condolences to volunteer Muhammad Al-Qassem’s family.
He honored Al-Qassem’s years of dedicated service to pilgrims at the Sacred House, praying Allah grants him mercy, paradise in Al-Firdaws, and patience for his family.
Sheikh Saud Ash Shuraim, the former imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, attend the condolence gathering at the residence of the late Muhammad Al Qasim.
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Inna lil laahi…… so sad. . Allah grant this shaheed the highest stages in Jannah Ameen and sabr to the family