Imperial pays tribute to alumnus, Isa Abdur Rahman

Imperial staff, students and alumni have paid tribute to medicine alumnus Dr Isa Abdur Rahman, who died in Syria on 22 May.

Twenty six year old Isa, who graduated in 2011, died after the field hospital in which he was treating patients was shelled in the conflict.

Born and raised in London, Isa put his medical career in the UK on hold, leaving the Royal Free Hospital, to volunteer and help injured civilians in Syria.

Fifth year medical student Aamir Shmasi remembers Isa as someone who had “a towering presence. He was highly respected in the community but he was so modest and humble that you would never have realised his incredible achievements until someone told you. He was and will continue to remain a great role model.”

Faculty of Medicine staff released their own tribute saying: “He was passionate about medicine and this is evident in his desire to help those less fortunate than himself. We are proud that he was a student at our medical school; he was an outstanding young man. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends at this time.”

Isa was well known on campus for his charity work, leading the Imperial Charity Week team in 2008. His friend from the College’s Islamic Society, Hazem El-Turk (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) said: “Isa was undoubtedly one of the most exceptional individuals to pass through our society. His contribution to university life, as well as his passion and commitment to issues beyond that are things that we remember him for today. Our thoughts are with his family in this difficult time.”

An appeal has been set up by Isa’s friends to raise funds to build a field hospital in Syria in honour of Isa. The hospital will be set up and run by Hand in Hand for Syria, the charity Isa was working with. To donate visit:  http://www.justgiving.com/for-Isa.