Bangladeshi community to come together in tribute concert for student Md ‘Sifat’ Isfaqur Rahman
Police have held a safety meeting for students at CDU, as they prepare to honour the life of Md Isfaqur Rahman, who was killed during a home invasion, with a tribute concert.
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The life of international student Md Isfaqur Rahman, who was killed during a home invasion last week, will be honoured at a CDU tribute concert.
Organised by the Bangladesh Student Association, the five-hour concert on Saturday will celebrate the life of the 23-year-old who arrived in Darwin just three months ago to study engineering.
The keen cricketer, who friends referred to as Sifat, was taken to hospital in a critical condition on Wednesday last week, after being hit in the head in his own bed.
He died in ICU late on Thursday, with hundreds turning up for his funeral on Monday before his body was returned to Bangladesh to be reunited with his parents.
Individual tickets are $40 each for the 5pm to 10pm concert, which features a talented line-up including Bangladeshi rock band AvoidRafa and singer-songwriter Topu.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards the Sifat Memorial Fund which will support initiatives such as safe accommodation and transport for international students.
Vice Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman called the concert a time for the community to come together and remember the much-loved student.
“In this difficult and heartbreaking time, the tribute Concert for Sifat is an opportunity for the community to gather, grieve and celebrate this much-loved and passionate student,” Professor Bowman said.
“We commend the efforts of the Bangladeshi Student Association of Charles Darwin University.
“(They are) one of our most active and passionate student groups, taking initiative to raise awareness, improve community safety and honour Sifat.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Sachin Sharma, who came to Darwin as an international student himself 23 years ago spoke to CDU students on Tuesday about safety concerns.
He reiterated the alleged offender was caught by police within an hour of them being contacted and the matter was now before the courts.
But urged international students and the greater community to be vigilant when it came to looking out for themselves and those around them.
“Please look after eachother, please look out for eachother when you are working in remote jobs,” he said.
“Be mindful of your surroundings, lock your houses, your cars and any other belongings you have.
“I’m not saying it to be alarmed, it’s not like that, but be vigilant and be aware of your surroundings.
“The Northern Territory police are part of the community too, we want to help you and when things like this happen we want to help you.
“We are ready, we will do whatever is required to give you safety and security because we have skin in the game and something like this could happen to our families.”
Assistant Commissioner Sharma also commended the international student community for the way in which they have honoured Sifat.
“The actions of Mr Rahman’s friends were very courageous and very generous to him,” he said.
“The basic fundamental quality of being Australian is mateship, and they showed it, in tragedies like this we all get together and help eachother.”
‘Outpouring of grief’: Community gathers for Darwin student’s funeral
A “jolly-minded” friend, keen cricketer and dedicated student.
Md Isfaqur Rahman, known among his friends as Sifat, was just 23 when he was allegedly murdered in his Darwin home.
Hundreds gathered for the funeral of the slain Bangladeshi national on Monday, the same day his alleged murderer appeared in court.
Mr Rahman arrived in the Top End three months ago to study a masters in engineering at Charles Darwin University.
His body will now return home to Bangladesh to be reunited with his parents.
Bangladeshi Student Association CDU vice-president Shamsad Ahamd said the senseless tragedy had left the international student community in fear.
“He was a friend and he was a known face,” Mr Ahamd said.
“When we saw his face in the hospital, we were so shocked and traumatised.
“That face just comes in every night when you’re going to sleep – it just comes in, like a nightmare.
“I don’t think anyone who has seen Sifat before and after the incident would get to sleep peacefully alone.”
The association’s former president, Shayon, said an upcoming tribute concert would raise funds to improve student accommodation.
“We went to his place where he was living – it was not a place where a normal human being would like to stay,” Shayon said.
“He didn’t have a proper place to reside – his lock was broken.
“If (international students) have any problems with their accommodation, if they do not have proper locks, if the landlord is not listening to them, the student association will try to help.”
Among mourners at the Janazah Salaah service at Darwin Mosque was CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman and other university staff and students, the Bangladesh Association of the NT and several Labor and CLP members.
Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said it was a “devastating” day for the Northern Territory.
“My heart absolutely breaks for the community here,” Ms Manison said.
“We just don’t see things like this happen every day – it’s no wonder there’s such a huge outpouring of grief and heartbreak.
“This is the most multicultural, vibrant, accepting place … it’s a place where (international students) instantly belong.”
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the way Mr Rahman’s life was cut short was “impossible to comprehend”.
“The Territory is an amazing place, but we are under siege,” she said.
“We need to restore law and order … to continue to love living here.
“The entire Northern Territory community is grieving with Sifat’s family.”
A tribute concert will be held this Saturday at Charles Darwin University.
Proceeds from the ticketed event will go towards providing safe accommodation and transport for international students in Darwin.
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