Outpouring of grief for Saudi student who died following assault in US

Hussain Saeed Al-Nahdi

JEDDAH: A Saudi student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the United States has died following a violent assault on Sunday in downtown Menomonie.
The student was identified as Hussain Saeed Al-Nahdi from Buraidah. He was 24.
The assault took place on a main thoroughfare near the campus. When police arrived at the scene, they found him unconscious and bleeding from his mouth and nose.
He was initially transported to Mayo Clinic Health System in Menomonie, and then taken by helicopter to Luther Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Menomonie Police Department said Al-Nahdi’s death was being investigated as a homicide. The motive for the attack was not clear.
In an e-mailed statement to Arab News on Tuesday, Doug Mell, the university’s executive director of communications and external relations, said: “There are reports that the assailant is a white male, about 6 feet tall, who fled the scene after the incident.”
Mell said Al-Nahdi was studying business administration. He came to the university in 2015. “Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to Hussain’s family in Buraidah and his friends at UW-Stout,” said Chancellor Bob Meyer.
An informed source in the Saudi community in the US told Arab News on Tuesday that the family of Al-Nahdi had been informed of his death.
He said a Saudi diplomatic official was on the ground, coordinating with the police and the university seeking details of the murder.
He said the student community had been advised to exercise caution and also that Al-Nahdi’s body would be flown to Buraidah after the completion of investigations.
“An autopsy has been conducted in line with the standard operating procedures in such cases,” the source said. 
He said the university had been extremely cooperative with the Saudis.
There was an outpouring of grief from both teachers and students who described Al-Nahdi “as a hard-working, serious student who was a kind person and a man of good character.”
“As an alumna of Stout, I am heartbroken to know this happened to a fellow Stout student and in Menomonie!” wrote Paula Bonnin on the university’s Facebook page.
“I had a number of friends when I was at Stout who were of different religions, races, genders, sexual orientations, and from numerous countries. Never once did I ever question anyone or worry that any of them would ever hurt me or my friends. My heart breaks for Al-Nahdi’s family and friends.”
Teacher Genesea M. Carter said: “I have absolutely loved teaching the Saudi students who have come to Stout. And now I am deeply worried for their safety.”
J. Hanson was equally devastated that such a crime could occur at UW-Stout and in the town of Menomonie.
“I have known many UW-Stout students from Saudi Arabia, and each one has courageously overcome many obstacles to pursue their education here in a place that is so different from their home,” wrote Hanson.
“We, the US residents, must do all that we can to welcome and encourage these students. Although I had not met Al-Nahdi, I talked with a teacher who knew him. She was in tears and feeling deep grief. She told me that Al-Nahdi was a hard-working, serious student who was a kind person and a man of good character. I am sad for his family and all who knew him.”
Kelsea Marie Osterman said: “When I heard the news I wanted to cry. I had the privilege to talk with Al-Nahdi while volunteering in the ELS program. He was a wonderful young man and he will be missed.”
Emily Wollyung said: “This is horrible. He was such a nice guy when he came into Subway. A regular whom I enjoyed serving. He will be deeply missed. This entire incident sickens me. May he rest in peace.”
Dina Jacob Pacheco said: “I cannot imagine the pain this young man’s family is going through because of his tragic and untimely death. I sincerely hope the person responsible is caught and pays for this senseless act.”
Amy Dupire Jones said: “This is a travesty. My Saudi students sometimes tell me that their families fear for their safety while they are in the US. It is just for this reason. Awful. Shameful and sad.”