Brussels Mourns Man Killed Defending Woman on Tram

Approximately 1,000 people gathered in Evere, Brussels, to bid farewell to Driss Atounane, a 54-year-old entrepreneur who tragically died after intervening in an altercation on a tram. The funeral prayer took place at the Attawba mosque, drawing a large crowd of mourners.

Atounane was on his way home from his shop when he witnessed a man harassing an elderly woman on tram 55. He stepped in to defend her but was subsequently attacked by the aggressor, receiving severe head injuries. He passed away in the hospital several days later.

The large turnout at the mosque, with many attendees having to pray outside on the sidewalk, demonstrated the profound impact Atounane's story had on the community. The mayor of Evere, Alessandro Zappala, and the mayor of Schaarbeek, Martin De Brabant, were among those present.

Mourners, like 61-year-old Brahim who traveled from Diegem, expressed their grief and admiration for Atounane's actions. "A good Muslim does not hesitate to intervene when he sees injustice. Driss wanted to do good and ended up in a coffin for it. That should not happen," Brahim stated, reflecting a sentiment of sorrow rather than anger among many.

Younger attendees, such as Younes from Evere, shared the prevailing feeling of "tristesse" (sadness). "It is very sad to see that someone's life can end in such a way," Younes commented. He added, "Usually we read about such stories happening elsewhere, but I now realize that something like this can happen right around the corner. That is simply the climate we live in."