Blogs

Khalil Dale – His life was one of love, not hatred.

Andrew Buncombe

khalil2 300x225 Khalil Dale   His life was one of love, not hatred.

Khalil ‘Ken’ Dale was a British aid worker kidnapped in Pakistan earlier this year and then subsequently killed by his captors. They attached a note to his body, discovered by police in Quetta on Sunday, saying he had been killed because no ransom had been paid.

Lots has been written about 60-year-old convert to Islam and many tributes have been made. Last night, via the Red Cross, for which he worked,  his family and fiance issued this statement, which deserves to be read in full:

“We are shocked and saddened beyond comprehension for the senseless and brutal way in which our beloved Khalil was murdered. At this painful time we feel many mixed emotions, including hurt, grief, confusion and anger. We particularly need time and space to grieve our loss, and do respectfully ask that the media respect this.

“During Khalil’s abduction and following his death, there has been an overwhelming flood of support, kindness and love from all corners of the globe, and we are very humbled and grateful for this empathy and solidarity. In particular, we wish to thank the Red Cross and Red Crescent family across the world for their support and for their focus throughout on Khalil’s safe release. We have been with them throughout this ordeal, and we know they share our grief.

“We do not wish to see the inhumanity and brutality of his death debase the memories we have of Khalil. Without question, Khalil was amongst the most gentle, most kind and most loving person we have ever known. For all who knew him, his deeply caring and considerate nature was what left a lasting impression. His tireless work with the most impoverished and vulnerable people of the world was a reflection of his beliefs in love, in solidarity and in compassion. He was a true humanitarian.

“We will not let the events of the past week sully Khalil’s memory. Khalil was a better man than that. We pity those who took his life. He achieved much in this world. His life was one of love, not hatred. His life was one of kindness, not cruelty. His life was one of beauty and joy. We will always remember our Khalil, our Ken, as a man who brought joy to us and countless others.”

Tagged in: , ,
  • Blaggerr2011

    Firstly, condolences to the Family and friends of Mr Khalil Dale. R.I.P.

    Unless someone who knows the kidnappers or somone who knows such a person spills the beans the chances of justice are much as they were in the old USA wild west. In which case a £100k (14.7 million rupees) reward could help.

    I would have thought that with these kidnappers in all likelihood being ignorant of modern forensics there would have been plenty of DNA and fingerprint material on the note, the plastic wrapping and the body of Mr Khalil Dale. Regrettably as I discovered when Mrs Benzair Bhutto was assassinated, the tv news reports showed the police tidying up with the fireman assisting in washing down the area immediately after the incident!! I was as aghast as the Western news media on location.

    No chance British authorities obtaining the same as the body would have been washed clean in accordance with Islamic protocols.

    I recollect in another news report UK detectives noting that the Police there didn’t have a clue about forensics.

    When Bin Laden was killed the Police just stood around guarding the house but the nearby area was free for all with kids picking bits of the exploded helicopter.

  • NiceChappie

    “Not surprising is you [sic] Islamophobic rant”
    So from your bigoted ideological perspective, if I criticise the bloodshed taking place on the Westbank that makes me an anti-Semite right?
    P.S.: Why do you guys have to film your butchery? Jerk-off material for your sexually frustrated keyboard warriors?

  • NiceChappie

    “10,000s are kidnapped for ransom each year…”
    What a delightful country – you must be very proud.

  • Blaggerr2011

    Not my guys brain dead.

    “sexually frustrated keyboard warriors” – you can talk!

  • NiceChappie

    LOL!…Here you go again: pathetic hit-and-run jibes, but lacking the intellect, courage and insight to actually discuss the issues.
    So how would you describe your Islamofascist heroes then, who slaughter people trying to help them?

  • Blaggerr2011

    No but you seem delighted.

  • NiceChappie

    Indifferent, sunshine. Not my culture, thank goodness.

  • Blaggerr2011

    Clearly you’re no different than the Islamofacists.

    As I said those that kidnapped and murdered Mr Khalil Dale are no more than common criminals. Like those that kidnapped Madeleine McCann or the scum who was recently convicted for gouging his partners eyes out etc etc.

    The fact that people like Mr Khalil Dale convert to Islam proves they don’t hold ignorant views of others based on a few miscreants.

  • NiceChappie

    I very much doubt that the kidnappers of Madeleine McCann cried “God is great (hate?)” before slicing off her head and posting a film of the obscenity onto the Internet.
    You Islamist fanatics have to shield yourselves from the hideous truth of your religion and the atrocities committed by many of its adherents by concocting a parallel world utterly divorced from the bitter reality…
    For reality tells us that over 20,000 innocent civilians have been butchered by Islamist nutters in Pakistan alone over the past 2 years. Only a desperate extremist like you could compare such genocidal savagery on such a scale with the abduction of the McCann’s daughter.
    But then what else can you do? Face the reality of psychopathic murderers in your midst, who sadly enjoy your unconditional support?
    Still it’s been a good day for you and your Islamofascist ilk: your bearded psychopathic heroes in Pakistan have slaughtered yet another 20 Muslims by planting a bomb in a market place frequented by women and children.
    All done in the name of a fictitious god. Madness, eh?


Property search
Browse by area

Latest from Independent journalists on Twitter