Candlelit vigil for alleged murder victim Md Ishaqur Rahman Sifat
The NT’s Bangladeshi community held a candlelit vigil for international student Md Ishaqur Rahman Sifat, who was allegedly murdered in his home.
Northern Territory
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The Territory’s Bangladeshi community gathered to remember Md Ishaqur Rahman Sifat, who died on Thursday after allegedly being murdered in his home on Wednesday morning during a home invasion.
Hundreds of tealight candles lit up the breezeway on Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus on Friday night, where a rally for student safety was held just a day earlier.
Hosted by CDU’s Bangladeshi Student Association, the intimate gathering of mourners honoured the 23-year-old’s life.
The sorrowful evening was open to students and the wider community alike.
The vigil was held just hours after a 29-year-old man was charged with Mr Rahman’s alleged murder.
NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Sachin Sharma said Mr Rahman died due to a traumatic brain injury.
“The man who has been in jail since Wednesday has been charged and his police bail has been refused,” Mr Sharma said.
“He will appear in court on Monday while investigations are ongoing.”
CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said Mr Rahman was the kind of person who made a lot of friends quickly when he arrived in Darwin three months ago.
“He and a few friends found a house to rent. It was perfect. It was not far to travel to the university,” he wrote in an email to staff and alumni on Friday.
“It was close to the shops and the markets at Rapid Creek. It was on the main road. The street it was on was well-lit. It seemed very safe.”
Professor Bowman said Mr Rahman’s community “surrounded him with love” from the moment he was allegedly attacked.
“The university, the Northern Territory government, and the community must respond,” he said.
“We must live up to our promise of this being a safe place.
“The university will look for practical ways that we can help students stay safe.
“We will find ways to remember Sifat, but his greatest legacy will be that other students will be safer.”
Students and community members who could not attend the vigil submitted tributes to Mr Rahman on Facebook.
“All CDU students have been devastated by this and even those not physically present mourn for this wonderful young man and keep his family and friends in our hearts,” one wrote.
“Sending you our thoughts, love and prayers,” another wrote.
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