Tribute to 'racist-death' student

Mohammed's family met council officials before the tribute

Hundreds of people have attended a two-minute silence and procession held in memory of a Qatari student who died after a suspected race attack.

Mohammed Al-Majed, 16, suffered a serious head injury outside a takeaway in Hastings and died two days later.

Hastings Borough Council organised the two minute silence at the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre at 1100 BST on Monday.

People wearing white flowers and carrying white candles walked through the town to the event.

Hastings' town crier rang a bell to start the silent tribute, and balloons were released in front of dignitaries.

Several witnesses

After the tribute, one of Mohammed's uncles, Abdul Karim Mohsin said: "We only hope and pray that when we buried Mohammed, we buried with him all the hatred and all the malicious things.

"We pray to God that this will not be repeated again."

He added the family was touched by the reaction of people in the town.

"Really, I was amazed.

"I did not expect Hastings' feelings to be so high," he said.

Mohammed was attacked outside a kebab shop and died two days later

"I don't believe British society is full of hatred.

"For many generations, and centuries, many ethnic groups regardless of race and colour have lived here in harmony."

Hastings Borough Council leader Peter Pragnell said the people of the town were "as appalled as anybody" at the death of Mohammed, described by his father as a "charming, loving boy".

Det Ch Insp Graham Pratt said up to 30 officers were working on the case.

Police said several witnesses had come forward with information after officers returned to the seafront on Friday, a week after the incident.

Mohammed was with friends near the USA Fried Chicken and Kebab House on 22 August when a row started with a group of local teenagers.

Sussex Police said he died from injuries caused by falling and hitting his head on the ground.

Three men - two aged 18 and one aged 20 - and a 17-year-old youth have been arrested and bailed.