A couple from Glasgow were among six Britons who died after a minibus crashed that was carrying a group of relatives and friends on pilgrimage to Mecca.
A newborn baby and three other members of the same family from Manchester were also killed when the vehicle’s tyre burst as they travelled along a motorway in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Six others on board are believed to have survived, some of whom remain critically injured at King Fahd hospital in Medina.
Mohammad Aslam, 73, and his wife, Talat Aslam, 62, who lived in Rutherglen and ran a property rental business, were killed in the crash. They were close friends of the other victims — Rabia Ahmed, 57, her sister, Noshina Ahmed, 49, Noshina’s husband Khurshid Ahmed, 63, a taxi driver, and the Ahmeds’ grandson, Mohammad Adam Anis, who was two months old.
Noshina and Rabia’s other sisters, Fozia Akhter Zahid, 66, and Sadia Chaudhry, 63, were also in the vehicle with their friend, Nuzhat Niazi, 72.
The group had just completed Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca, and had travelled to Saudi Arabia the previous Thursday.
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“We are a very close-knit family,” Fozia’s daughter, Farah Zahid, told the Manchester Evening News. “Everyone is either in shock or completely heartbroken. We are very lucky that our family is well known in Manchester and Glasgow and that there has been a huge show of support from the community already.”
Glasgow Central Mosque said that the Aslams were popular and respected members of the community.
A spokesman said: “Mr and Mrs Aslam were popular members of the community and are survived by their five children. We have every confidence in the Saudi authorities currently investigating the crash.”
The mosque called for the family to be given space to “grieve for their loved ones and to come to terms with their sudden loss”.
Mr and Mrs Aslam ran Universal Investments Scotland, a property rental business. Ali Gibran, their nephew, said the news had left him heartbroken. Writing on social media he said: “This has put a dagger through my heart and I am still shell-shocked from the second I came to know of this horrendous news.
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“My aunt was the heart of our family, so enthusiastic and a source for radiation of joy and happiness. Her words sparkled in every gathering in which she took part. To lose her is one of the most agonising feelings. I love you.”
Stewart McDonald, the SNP MP for Glasgow South, paid tribute to the couple, adding: “Very sorry to hear of the death of two of my constituents, whilst on their pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
“I am in touch with the Foreign Office to ensure that their family are being given all the assistance they need. I’m sure fellow southsiders will want to send their sympathies and best wishes to the family at this incredibly sad and difficult time.”
Last night 18 people were waiting for visas to be approved to enable them to travel to Saudi Arabia. Relatives are hoping to be with those who survived the crash and to arrange repatriation for those who died.