A Pakistani woman offering namaz in the middle of a road in Adelaide, Australia, was killed after a car struck her on the night of May 6, 2025. The victim, 20-year-old Samia Malik, was kneeling on North East Road in Hillcrest when Ashton Jacob Friend, then 19, hit her with his car. Friend, who initially believed he had hit a kangaroo, later pleaded guilty in court. Although he was sentenced to prison, the judge suspended his jail term and banned him from driving for 10 years.
The woman was kneeling on the road for nearly four minutes
The incident took place at around 11 pm when Malik, a Pakistani international student, was apparently offering namaz in the middle of the road. Witnesses and CCTV footage showed her kneeling on North East Road for nearly four minutes before the collision.
The friend, who was 19 at the time of the accident, was driving home. The court heard that he was travelling below the speed limit and was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, he was looking in his rearview mirror in the seconds before the collision.
According to a reconstruction expert, Friend had around 2.25 seconds to notice Malik before the impact. The expert said he might have been able to avoid the collision or reduce his speed, given the short time available.
Driver thought he had hit a kangaroo
After hitting Malik, Friend continued driving because he initially thought he had struck a kangaroo. He said he had not seen anyone on the road and had noticed no lights in the area. He heard a noise under his car but realised the seriousness of the incident only after seeing news reports the following day.
Friend was later arrested and faced the South Australian District Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to causing death by careless use of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident after causing death.
During an earlier hearing, Friend read an apology letter in which he accepted responsibility for his actions and inactions. He expressed regret for Malik’s death and the pain caused to her family and loved ones.
Court suspends prison sentence
Judge Anne Barnett sentenced Friend to one year, three months and 29 days in prison, with an eight-month non-parole period. However, the judge suspended the sentence on a two-year good behaviour bond.
The court considered Friend’s genuine remorse, young age, prospects of rehabilitation and the circumstances of the incident while deciding to suspend his jail term. He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.
While the court acknowledged the circumstances surrounding the collision, Judge Barnett stressed that drivers are expected to remain alert and attentive on the road and respond properly after an accident.
The perils of praying on the road
The incident highlights the risks of using busy public roads for offering namaz, something which Islamists often argue for in India. Similar concerns arise in India when people offer namaz on roads, sometimes disrupting traffic and inconveniencing commuters. Religious freedom deserves respect, but prayers should be organised in designated spaces wherever possible to protect both worshippers and road users. Public roads must remain safe and accessible for everyone.
