Calls grow for greater mental health support following Zak Chowdhury’s funeral
The funeral of Zakaria Chowdhury, known as Zak, was attended by hundreds of mourners on Thursday, 20th of March, as family, friends, and members of the community gathered to pay their final respects at Whitley Bay Mosque before he was laid to rest at Whitley Bay Cemetery.
The 20-year-old student had been missing since Friday, 7 February, after being last seen in Newcastle city centre in the early hours of the morning. Despite a widespread search involving specialist police units, family, and volunteers, Zak’s body was tragically found in the River Tyne on Friday, 14th of March.
On social media, Zak’s brother Arif Chowdhury shared a moving tribute: “You had your whole life ahead of you, but Allah had better plans for you. May Allah grant you the highest rank in Jannah and reunite us in Jannah.
I will miss you so much, but InshAllah we will meet again. Love you so much, little brother.”
The Facebook group ‘Find Zakaria Chowdhury’, which had over 900 members, was flooded with messages of condolence. One mourner wrote: “My heart is broken for Zak and his beautiful family … May you rest easy in the hands of Allah.”
Zak, a computer science and cyber security student at Sunderland University, was described by those who knew him as a quiet and kind-hearted young man. His disappearance and tragic passing have sparked conversations around mental health awareness, particularly among young men in the Asian community.
Newcastle City Councillor and former Lord Mayor Habib Rahman, who attended the funeral, stressed the need for urgent action: “Zak’s passing raises many questions for both the authorities and the community.
A young boy, full of life, with his entire future ahead of him, had it all tragically cut short. We must do more to safeguard and protect vulnerable young boys and men facing mental health struggles.”
He called for open conversations and stronger safeguarding measures to prevent similar tragedies, adding: “Tough debates must be had within our communities, and questions must be asked of the authorities. I intend to have those difficult conversations in the coming weeks.”
Zak’s family is being supported by specially-trained officers, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
As Zak’s loved ones grieve, his passing in the sacred month of Ramadan has been met with prayers for his peace in the afterlife.
Cllr Rahman said: “May he find eternal peace, and may Allah grant him the highest ranks of Jannah. Ameen.”
Credits by Asian Connect & Business Connect
