The whole of Malwani area is in shock after reports that three youth had joined the Islamic State (ISIS). According to reports, the ATS suspects the youth have left to join ISIS, while the families claim they did not have passports.
According to local Malwani residents, the three boys knew each other well and used to offer namaaz together in a local mosque. Their families were also known to each other and they often visited each other’s homes. Ayaz Sultan, who worked in a BPO, left the city on October 30, while the other two — Mohsin Sheikh and Wazid Sheikh — left the city on December 15. Subsequently, families of the boys approached the police and filed a missing person’s complaint.
Speaking to The Asian Age, Ayesha Aslam Shaikh, the elder sister of Wazid Shaikh (25) said, “Three days ago, officials of the ATS visited our house and inquired about Wazid. We informed them that we had no clue about him and he suddenly left home on December 15, leaving both his cellphones at home. Later, officials took his cellphones and left.”
Wazid’s father, Bashir Shaikh who is a lemon vendor, said, “Wazid was born after so many prayers and offerings to god. He is the youngest son after five daughters, who are all married now. Wazid also got married 10 months ago to a girl from Vashi. Wazid was a calm boy since childhood. Every day he used to offer namaaz five times a day and started helping me with my business. I never saw him meeting anyone or going any where without informing us.”
According to other family members, on the day of the incident, Wazid’s mother, along with his elder sister were in Mira Road area, while Wazid was at home with his wife. Later, his father came home and the trio had lunch together. After lunch, Wazid told his wife that he was leaving to get his name changed on his Aadhar card.
“He left home with almost no money,” said Wazid's mother. According to the family members, Wazid was an introvert. He is a commerce graduate.
“Wazid used to mind his own business. He did not have many friends and never went out of the city, not even for a picnic,” said neighbour Mumtaz Bi.
Mohsin Sheikh (26), who is an auto driver, is also missing since December 15. Mohsin studied in a BMC school till Class 10 and used to be involved in street fights with local boys. However, almost seven years ago he gave up everything and started offering namaaz five times, said one of his friends, Manish Thakkar. n Turn to Page 6
While talking to this newspaper, Mohsin's father Ibrahim Sayyad said, “Our whole family depends on him. Mohsin left his wife and two children here. The children ask us about their father, but we have no answer.”
On December 15, Mohsin told his father that he wanted to attend his friend's wedding in Surat and that he had hired a four-wheeler for the same. Later, with a few clothes he left home and since then his cellphone is switched off.
Ayaz Sultan (23), the third youth who left the city a little earlier Mohsin and Wazid, was the only earning member of his family. The membersare shocked after his disappearance.
Neighbour Jafaruddin Quraishi recalled Ayaz as a down-to-earth and humble boy who visited the mosque everyday to offer namaaz.
According to the family members of Ayaz, he was fond of using tablets and mobiles and his mother would often scold him for this. According to his mother Razia, -"It is very disappointing for me if my son joined ISIS. I plead to the government to take strong action against such people and organisations. I saw him active on the Internet recently and I guess some one lured him there.”
A local NGO volunteer of Malvani area, who did not wish to be named, said, “I came to know that there are many more youth in the area who are getting lured and government and agencies should stop such acts on the ground level.”
Local MLA Aslam Shaikh said, “The police is investigating the matter, and I came to know that these youth did not have passports and while escaping did not have any cash.”
The ATS has begun the search for the three youth and their families claim that they may have joined ISIS.
According to sources, one of the two youngsters who didn't have passports might have gone through the Nepal border. On this issue, ATS additional CP Niket Kaushik said, “We came to know about the three youngsters just three days ago. It is not yet clear that these youngsters have joined ISIS. They are missing and police has already taken their missing complaint. Two of them - Mohsin Sultan and Wazid Shaikh - didn't even have passports and another Ayaz Sultan was born and brought up in Kuwait. We are looking for them and their links too. But it is not sure that they have joined ISIS. We will soon get the details about the same.”
