A Saudi student studying at Wichita State University was killed in his homeland Friday after he helped stop a suicide bomber from entering a Shiite mosque in Dammam.
Abduljaleel Alarbash, a 22-year-old electrical engineering major and honor roll student at Wichita State, had traveled back to Saudi Arabia to get married, CNN reported.
He was killed Friday when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the parking lot of the Al-Anoud Mosque. It was the second such attack in as many weeks claimed by the Islamic State terror group.
The blast also killed Alarbash’s brother, Mohammed, and their cousin, CNN reported. Alarbash’s father said in a video posted Saturday that the trio volunteered as security guards at the mosque and died “heroes” because they prevented the suicide bomber from getting inside the mosque.
“The suicide bomber approached the mosque wearing (a traditional robe worn by women),” he said. “They suspected him so they stopped him and uncovered his face.”
A Ministry of Interior spokesman initially said it was “security authorities” who stopped the terrorist and later issued a statement referring to them as “security men,” CNN reported.
“Abduljalil saved hundreds of lives … including my father and some of my friends,” said Mohammad Aljady, a fellow Wichita State student. “We believe what he did made him a hero, and the world will never forget heroes.”
“(Abduljalil) and his brother were heroes,” said Mohammed Alsaeed, another student, CNN reported. “From the bottom of my heart, I thank them for saving my family and others’ lives.”
Wichita State is holding a service June 5 to honor Alarbash.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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