Murder in Norway: The Story of Faiza Ashraf

Words by Bilal Shahid

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Characterized by his oversized moustache and turban, the Maharaja was Air India's beloved mascot. In their earlier days, Air India established an in-house art studio and commissioned artists from around the world to depict beautiful posters of the Maharaja in all his mischievous antics and  him adopting different personas in each destination, such as a monk in Rome, a lover boy in Paris, and even a sumo wrestler in Tokyo. The posters put Air India the map as an example of genius marketing in the mid-20th century, earning the company a myriad of advertising awards and a loyal legion of fans. While the Maharaja remains Air India’s mascot to this day, he is most fondly remembered throughout the world for his role in India’s golden age of advertising. (Available as print)

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The Horrific Murder of Hannah Foster

Why are Indian Students Dying in the US?

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Murder in Norway: The Story of Faiza Ashraf

Faiza Ashraf

In the early hours of February 3, 2010, 26-year old Faiza Ashraf's routine morning commute to work took a harrowing turn as she waited at a bus stop in Haslum, Bærum, just outside Oslo. Suddenly, the tranquility of her everyday life was shattered as she was forcibly taken and thrust into the trunk of a car, launching her into a terrifying struggle for survival. Despite the overwhelming fear and uncertainty of her situation, Faiza exhibited remarkable courage and quick thinking. Within moments of her abduction, she bravely reached out to the authorities, dialing the emergency number 112 and providing them with crucial details.

During her thirty agonizing minutes confined in the trunk, Faiza demonstrated extraordinary composure as she recounted the traumatic events to the authorities. Faiza Ashraf bravely described her captor as a stout, bald, white man who forcefully abducted her, striking her on the head before placing her in the trunk of a dark blue car. She identified the driver as a Norwegian-looking man, heavily built, demonstrating her unwavering determination in providing crucial details to the authorities. In a courageous act of defiance against her assailants, she also shared her suspicions regarding a Pakistani individual whom she believed may have been involved. Among the details she disclosed was the name of a 28-year-old taxi driver, Shamrez Khan, who had been stalking her for quite some time.