Glasgow law student murdered in Iraq

Mohammad Al Janabi, 29, who was described as “vibrant and peace-loving” and was due to receive his PhD from the University, was shot dead with his father – a tribal leader and seven bodyguards after their cars were ambushed in the city by Shi’ite militias.

Last night friends of the murdered law student held a memorial service for him in Glasgow Central Mosque.

Abdul Rahman Al Adhami, who organised the service, said: “His was a vibrant, peace-loving life.

“His idea was always to get his education and use that to help represent people who don’t have a voice.

“A lot of people come here and do their studies and go away, without making any impact. He was a different character.”

Friends of Mohammad had tried to convince him to remain in the UK but he returned to Iraq out of a desire make a difference and loyalty to his father, Sunni tribal leader Sheikh Qassem Sweidan Al Janabi.

Mr Al Adhami said: “This is totally unexpected and hundreds of people in the city knew him in some capacity, as friends and through the academic, Muslim and Arab communities.

“People told him to stay here, perhaps claim asylum. But his idea was always to get his education and use that to help represent people who really don’t have a voice.

“A lot of people come here and do their studies and go away, without making any impact. He was a different character.”

A spokeswoman for Glasgow Caledonian University said they were still attempting to establish the facts but added: “We are deeply concerned at reports of the death of one of our PhD students.”