BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Only days after 12-year-old Badraldeen Elwaseem was killed when hit by a stray bullet, his family is throwing their efforts behind a project to build a community pavilion for others to use as a way of remembering a young life lost.
The family is working with a Muslim youth group called Buffalo Nomads to raise $5,000 for the pavilion and bonfire area.
Known as Badr to his friends, the 6th grade student was an active participant with the Buffalo Nomads which held camping, sports and faith-based events.
"My brother was a people's person. He liked to talk and meet different types of people," said his grieving brother Najmaldeen Elwaseem to 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly.
Muslims believe doing good deeds and 'on-going charity' in the name of someone who died will bring spiritual benefits to the deceased.
"Every time someone will go in there (pavilion), Badr will benefit because it is his legacy," explained his brother Najmaldeen.
Buffalo Nomads and the Elwaseem family have collected about $4,000 in donations for the $5,000 project - with about $1,000 still needed. (More information about the pavilion fundraising efforts can be found here)
Plans call for it to be built behind the Universal Islamic School at 1955 Genesee Street, Buffalo because the young boy had previously attended the school in 2016-17 and was hoping to go back starting in the next school year.
You can hear more about the planned project in the attached video clip.
