A university student who survived the Manchester Arena terror attack has died after complications with diabetes.
Zara Ahmed was at the Ariana Grande concert with friends in May when bomber Salman Ramadan Abedi blew himself up, killing 23 people and injuring hundreds.
The student passed away at her halls of residence at Liverpool John Moore’s University, where she was studying forensic science.
Today, the 18-year-old’s devastated family released an emotional statement in memory of the ‘loving’ student.
Zara Ahmed passed away at her halls of residence at Liverpool John Moore’s University
The tribute said: ‘Losing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare and no amount of words can capture the loss and grief that Zara’s parents, Asefa and Kaleem are feeling at this moment.
‘Zara was their first born child and from the moment she was born their mission was to make her the happiest and most loved child on earth.
‘She was always smiling and nothing made her happier than sitting back and singing along with her favourite singer, Ariana Grande.’
Ms Ahmed’s relatives said she had been ‘deeply affected’ by the Manchester bombing.
But they said the teenager did not let it impact her Muslim faith.
The student was at the Ariana Grande concert with friends in May when bomber Salman Ramadan Abedi blew himself up, killing 23 people and injuring hundreds. Pictured: Concert-goers are tended to by police after the attack
Ms Ahmed’s relatives said she had been ‘deeply affected’ by the Manchester bombing
Their statement read: ‘She refused to allow anyone to use her religion as a reason to hurt others and her prayers were said for all those affected, regardless of faith, colour, race or religion.
‘Her faith remained unshakeable epitomised on her Facebook page in her own immutable style: “I’m taken…by Allah innit!”
Ms Ahmed’s family said Zara was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 11 months.
But they added that the ongoing medical condition never prevented her from ’embracing life and everything that went with it.’
The student, from Kinmel Bay, Wales, dreamed of becoming a forensic scientist.
The statement read: ‘There is no doubt that Zara’s passing has left a void in the hearts of her family and friends that can never be filled.
The 18-year-old’s devastated family released an emotional statement in memory of the ‘loving’ student
‘We will all miss the bright, sassy, bubbly, goofy girl that was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside but we will hold on to the memories.
A Liverpool John Moores University spokesperson said: ‘Zara was only at the university for a short time, but had already made a positive impression with her enthusiasm and excitement for her studies.
‘All of her programme team and fellow students are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our thoughts are with Zara’s family.’
Any donations made in Zara’s memory will be gratefully received by Diabetes Research UK.