Islam - Helping the Smaller Children

Islam was given his name by his grandfather, Mairbek – a devoted Muslim, who believed that Islam is a religion of peace and love. During the siege, Islam believed that terrorists would not kill their brother Muslim. He openly said that but, unfortunately, he was proven wrong. At one point, one of the terrorists promised Islam: “Just wait, I am going to kill you personally”.

After the first explosion, the children who were still alive started to jump out of the windows and run. Islam was helping the smaller children to jump out, letting them go ahead of him. At this time the terrorists were shooting, in cold blood, at the backs of the running children.

Suddenly, Islam heard a wounded girl screamed for help. When he turned to help her, he was shot directly in his heart. Was he shot by the same terrorist who promised to kill him? Nobody will ever know.

Islam was the only son of his mother Fatima and the favorite grandson of his grandmother Aza. He was only two months shy of his 15th birthday.

Arsen - A Star Athlete's Life Cut Short

Arsen was only 14 years old when he was taken hostage. His friends remember him as a sincere, kind and helpful friend. Arsen was heavily involved in wrestling and other sports. He was the hope for his family since his brother, Ruslan, was paralyzed from birth.

As Arsen’s friends say, he was less concerned about himself than about the younger kids in the gymnasium, saying: “I am already 14. I have lived my life, we really need to help the 7 and 8 year-old children”. When Arsen was allowed to go to the washroom, he managed to wet his shirt with tap water which he smuggled back to the gymnasium. Once he returned back to the gym, he squeezed droplets into the hands and mouths of the little kids.

After the first explosion, Arsen was alive and was on his way out through the window. Then, someone called him for help and he turned around…He never made it out again.