Somali Mother of Three Among Those Tragically Lost in Sweden’s Most Severe School Shooting
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AX) — In the heart of Sweden, a harrowing event unfolded that has changed the fabric of the community. Qamar Hilowle, a resilient 38-year-old mother of three, was among the ten victims in the tragic school shooting at Campus Risbergska on February 4, a day now etched in Sweden’s history.
The tragedy commenced with a hail of bullets at midday, fired by 26-year-old Rickard Andersson, who was swiftly apprehended by authorities. Andersson’s links to extremist ideologies have left a nation questioning: What compels a person toward such malevolence? Most victims—including Qamar—were of immigrant backgrounds, amplifying fears that the violence was tinged with racial hatred or ideological vendetta.
Qamar’s journey to Sweden began 17 years ago, as a refuge from Somalia’s searing civil hostilities. Warmly embracing her new homeland, she aspired for a better tomorrow for her children—a 15-year-old teen, an energetic 11-year-old, and a curious two-year-old. “She believed in giving them all that she never had,” her younger brother, Ali, fondly remembers.
Her sister, Anisa, adds her voice to echo Qamar’s spirit. “She was the embodiment of kindness—always lending a hand, always listening.” Even in times of hardship, during the birth of her youngest child, Qamar was renowned for her cheerful demeanor. “Despite labor pains, she cracked jokes with the doctor, her laughter a balm in distress,” Anisa recalls tenderly.
Interestingly, although many in the Somali-Swedish community make trips back to their conflict-ridden homeland, Qamar was anchored in fear—a fear of firearms and the potential for violence. Anisa sheds light on this pervasive anxiety. “The mere thought petrified her. Despite a yearning to see her parents, her fears held her back.” Little did she know these fears would manifest on the serene grounds of an academic campus.
As Qamar strolled toward a lunch break, a dread she had nearly hidden away leaped out, an unfathomable nightmare now cruelly real. Ali laments, “It feels unreal, like a terrible nightmare we just can’t awaken from.” This heartache now adds to a chorus of voices crying out for change.
This tragedy urges a national reflection—a call for stringent gun laws and an in-depth inquiry into Andersson’s past as Sweden bears witness to one of its darkest chapters. What lies at the root of such events? How can a society heal and protect its people?
The attack has left an indelible mark not just on Qamar’s family but also on the global tapestry of persistence and solidarity against hate. Each victim carried a story, and it’s their dreams, now poignant echoes, that demand to be honored and remembered.
Here are brief glimpses into those who were lost:
- Salim Iskef, 29, from Syria: He was dedicating his life to healthcare, planning a bright future with his fiancée in July.
- Bassam al Sheleh, 48, from Syria: A gifted chef brightening lives, enriching them with culinary joy and studying the local language.
- Qamar Hilowle, 38, from Somalia: A devoted mother pursuing dreams of nursing or teaching, symbols of hope for a better life.
- Elsa Teklay, 32, from Eritrea: An ambitious student of nursing with aspirations of becoming a doctor, providing care to the elderly.
- Ali Mohammed Jafari, 31, from Afghanistan: A janitor trainee, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and a grieving family in Karlskoga.
- Niloofar, 46, from Iran: A dedicated student aimed to nurture others through her future nursing role, survived by her husband, Hossein.
- Aziza, 68, of Iraqi Kurdish descent: A revered math educator inspiring thousands online with her instructional presence.
- An unnamed woman, 52, of Sweden: Her existence was interwoven with the daily rhythms of a family in Glanshammar.
- An unnamed woman, 54, from Örebro: Her joy now preserved in the hearts of her grown children.
- An unnamed woman, 55, from Örebro: Unmarried, known for her independence and close-knit ties within her circle.
As authorities delve deeper, a country stands poised, ready to confront and diminish the shadows cast by intolerance. Together, we must strive to embody resilience, ensuring a safer, more inclusive tomorrow.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
