UAE | Crime

Dubai mosque murderer executed

Rashid Al Rashidi was executed Thursday

By Bassam Za'za', Senior Reporter
Published: 10:38 February 10, 2011

Image Credit: Ramachandra Babu/Gulf News
An artist's sketch of the accused in the court.

Image 1 of 5: 1 2 3 4 5

Dubai: A senior Public Prosecution source has confirmed to Gulf News that the 30-year-old Emirati, Rashid Al Rashidi, who was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old schoolboy on Eid Al Adha in 2009, was executed.

He was executed by the firing squad early Thursday morning.

Status of the death row cases
Chart of pending death row cases

Obsessed paedophile

Al Rashidi was convicted of the rape and premeditated murder of the Pakistani boy Mousa Mukhtiar Ahmad in the washroom of a mosque on the first day of Eid Al Adha in November 2009.

Mousa's tearful father Mukhtar Khuda Buksh spoke to Gulf News when the sentence was passed in April 2010

Comments (46)

Added 17:31 February 10, 2011

Better things prevailed.Justice is done at last. Such barbaric acts need not only be condemned but also have to be dealt with iron hands, so that it creates a terror in the minds of persons who commit such heinious crimes. Let us pray for the soul to rest in peace.

Venkat.S., Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:30 February 10, 2011

i agree with Amina.that justice is not just delivered just as compensation to the aggreived. They are handed out to set a social conduct, to function as a DETERRENT.

abdulwaheed, abu dhbai, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:30 February 10, 2011

I'm sure I speak for all the just and sane when I say: Justice has been served. And about time too. Taking away someone's life just for a few minutes of sadistic pleasure? What kind of humans are we indeed? God has given us a brain to think properly and to fend off the temptations the heart sends. Yet, we defy God and listen to our heart? Henceforth, the final trial is between God and the man and Inshallah God will have the most accurate Justice served. All my wishes and thoughts go out to the family through such a terrible time. Seek solace and patience in God for He Sees all.

Hafsa Qasim, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:15 February 10, 2011

Well done Dubai Police and Public Prosecution he deserved it.It's a lesson for those who play this dirty game with innocent kids.

shazia asim, calgary, Canada

Added 17:15 February 10, 2011

not only is life sacred, it is the one thing that most of us dearly hold on to, isn't it? I agree that this execution will not bring back that innocent little life of Mousa. But those who are writing comments opposing capital punsihment must realise that many punishments are not delivered just as compensation to the aggreived. They are handed out to set a social conduct, to function as a DETERRENT. There are still paedophiles in this world, aren't there? At least if this capital punishment instills fear in some of their hearts, and that stops them from committing a similarly heinous crime, i would say that is something. wouldn't you? Can you imagine a social system, where criminals have nothing to fear, because there is no capital punishment? What is the worst that would happen to someone who violates a child's innocence, his right to live? a life imprisonment?! I'm sorry, that does not make sense to me.

Amina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:07 February 10, 2011

SubhanAllah ! I wish we had such punishments for the animals in Australia who commit such disgusting crimes. It pleases me to see such a person executed for this.

Lisa Abejja, Rockingham, Australia

Added 16:48 February 10, 2011

This beautiful life has been given to us by God. Who are we to decide to take someone's life? I dont agree that justice has been done.

Anonymous, mississauga, Canada

Added 16:41 February 10, 2011

Finally.......... every one who was following this story must be satisfied. My best wishes is for the family of the poor boy. Dubai Police & Public Prosecution deserve praise for handling this sentimental case. We are proud of you.

IMRAN, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:18 February 10, 2011

Excellent Justice has been done and the suspect has been punished for his cruel and wicked thing. The UAE judicial system and no doubt the Dubai Police are to be praised for handling cases like this.I have much of pain and feel sorry for Moosa's family. May God give them courage.

Danish, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:52 February 10, 2011

Definitely hats off to the decision makers and with all due respect the decision is accepted. However, we as readers cannot judge the fairness of anything as we are reading the facts that are being presented to us. It is ironic enough that Gulfnews has printed the "Pending Executions in Dubai Prison" and the "Status of the death row cases" -Xpress. There is someone pending execution since 1986, and the number of children he has killed is more in number. So in that case, all your comments should also be to ensure he is executed too? Or suddenly you feel humane to forgive someone because 25years have passed. In that case don't you think 25years from today RR would have become a different man - a much more humane person. I sincerely respect the words of the person from RAK. My friend your words show how cultured and visible you are among the wonderful people around us. I completely respect both the families who have gone through this, but we all should respect the family of the one executed.Sitting in your comfortable surroundings you cannot imagine what it takes an entire family to go through this process just because of a momentary lapse of concience of one of its members. People please comment with a sense of responsibility.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates