Grieving the loss of USF students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, the community gathers for a prayer service for Zamil.
TAMPA, Fla. — The aunt of one of the University of South Florida students killed said she is overcome with grief. She spoke out as the community honored her nephew Zamil Limon at a prayer service.
“I can’t explain, I can’t explain what’s going on with my heart,” Taslima Islam, Zalim’s aunt said.
Islam is Zamil’s aunt. She’s in town from Orlando.
“Me and my nephew’s plan was, next year, we will live together. I wanted to move there to be with him,” Islam said.
She said Zamil only lived with Hisham Aburghabieh, the man facing first-degree murder charges for killing Zamil and Nahida Bristy, for two months at Avalon Heights. Islam said she left feeling on edge.
“Where was security? I am feeling scared now. If I see any persons or suddenly, I’m walking and I see any men. I’m getting scared. I’m not feeling mentally well. I feel sick,” Islam said.
Community members like Mohammad Uddin also gathered for the prayer service.
“In February, we had a program that is called International Mother Language Day and she performed as the chorus. She also had a solo. Zamil was part of our chorus also,” Uddin said.
He said their lives were cut short.
“It’s a big loss. They were two persons who came to the United States with a dream,” Uddin said.
Friends of the two students said they usually come to this Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area to pray together, but now they’re left with memories of their cheerful spirits and smiles that would light up a room.
“To USF, to the Bangladesh community, from Orlando to Tampa. Everyone feels empty without them,” a close friend of Zamil said.
Organizers said that once Nahida Bristy’s remains are identified. They will have a prayer service for her as well.