‘We will always love you forever, Al’: King’s College students pay tribute to Aalia Mahomed

Students at King’s College London are paying their tributes to “beautiful soul” Aalia Mahomed who died in van crash at Strand Campus on Tuesday 18th March.

Aalia, a second year student at King’s, was just 20 years old, when she was hit by an alleged drunk driver on The Strand.

The memorial for her is outside of St Mary le Strand Church, by the Strand Building and Bush House South Entrance.

Students have gathered together to pay tribute and mourn the loss of their peer. They are laying down bouquets of flowers with handwritten notes attached.

There are also multiple rows of Post-It notes placed by the church with tea light candles on top.

via Kamilyte Afanasyeva

The King’s Tab spoke to KCLbrosmemes, a student page at KCL who organised the memorial. They said: “Over the last five years of being at KCL, I have never felt out of place. The sense of belonging and of community has always been present.

“It was only right to use the reach of this platform to organise a vigil for our friend to some, classmate to many and fellow student to all.

“I read vice-chancellor Shitij Kapur’s email. I am glad the university has respected the wishes of the Aalia’s family. The University and the Chaplaincy are also thinking of another memorial, following in the students footsteps.

“In these tragic times, I take pride in knowing that King’s student body and administration are coming together to honour Aalia, doing what we can at our respective levels of influence.”

Throughout the previous few days, crowds of students have been visiting the memorial and contributing.

Psychology student Kamilyte Afanasyeva has made a page online with photos she has taken herself of the memorial.

Most Read

Finished Adolescence? These six shows are streaming on Netflix and have the same vibe

Adolescence director breaks down the ending’s secret meaning and it’s utterly heartbreaking

A psychologist reveals wild reason Jamie in Adolescence got offered specifically half a sandwich

Kamilyte told The King’s Tab: “It’s very important that she is remembered. Felt like a duty to capture it.”

via Kamilyte Afanasyeva

The university has announced it will be planting a tree in memory of Aalia, and that an official memorial will be taking place at 10:45 tomorrow (25th March).

In a statement sent out to the study body, vice-chancellor and president Professor Shitij Kapur said: “In memory of Aalia, you may like to leave a message of remembrance, in one of the condolence books available at the Strand Chaplaincy room K2.34, in the Physics and Philosophy departments or online, or tied to the branches placed at the site on the Strand.

We are working with the Chaplaincy and others on a memorial where we can come together to remember Aalia and details of this will follow.”

For those who may be seeking support, you can  reach out to your Faculty Wellbeing Advisor or seek support through KCL’s out-of-hours and weekend support service TogetherAll.

Rev’d Dr Ellen Clark-King has also provided some words to help provide comfort. They can be found here.

Featured images by Kamilyte Afanasyeva