Leader of UK's largest Muslim student society dies in swimming accident

Britain’s largest Muslim student society, the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), has lost its leader, Bashir Osman, who died in a swimming accident in Switzerland.

Bashir, drowned on Saturday in a river in the Landquart District of Graubünden, after entering the water for a swim, according to a statement issued by FOSIS.

The 26-year-old was swept away by a freak current and was in the water for more than 10 minutes before rescue services got to him.

He was pronounced dead at the scene

Student Pulse gathered that Osman was in Switzerland on a visit to colleagues at a youth organisation for European Muslims when the tragedy occurred.

His friends posted a picture of him that was published in The Guardian UK with the caption:

“This is the very last picture we’ve taken together with our dear brother Bashir Osman just moments before he tragically passed away.

“The five of us were spending a few days in Switzerland during the holy month of Ramadan in order to share moments of spirituality and togetherness, brotherhood and reflections on the commitment/engagement of young Muslims in Europe.

“Everything happened in a glimpse of an eye, and even though we and the rescue services did everything we could to try saving him, God has decided otherwise.”

Osman was serving a second term as president of FOSIS, an umbrella body representing about 115,000 Muslim students.