A Rutgers–New Brunswick student and member of the University’s Muslim community died on Tuesday.
Harris Farooq Zakariya, a School of Arts and Sciences computer science major, was from Edison, N.J, according to a statement sent to students by chancellor Richard L. Edwards.
The cause of his death was not specified in Edwards’ message to the Rutgers community.
Meherin Mazumder, a member of the MSA, said Zakariya was doing yard work on Saturday when he had an accident and fell into a pool. The 22-year-old was taken to John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., where he died on Tuesday night.
Zakariya was president of a Muslim group at Middlesex County College before attending Rutgers.
"Everyone who had come across (Zakariya) knew that he was a very kind and gentle person," she said. "He never greeted anyone without a smile."
The Rutgers University Muslim Student Association wrote a statement regarding Zakariya's death on their Facebook page earlier this week.
"Harris Zakaria Farooq, a fellow Rutgers student, passed away earlier today," reads the statement. "We send our condolences to the family and friends of Harris and ask Allah to grant them patience."