A Syrian refugee who fled his war-torn homeland in search of a better life was stabbed to death in the UK.

The 23-year-old, named online as Abraham Ismail, was discovered slumped with knife wounds in Birmingham in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Paramedics fought desperately to save his life but he died on the way to hospital, the Birmingham Mail reports .

His killing happened on a day dubbed ‘Mad Friday’ because emergency services are usually pushed to their limits by crowds of people out for Christmas parties.

Mr Ismail’s body was found on the corner of Moseley Street and Rea Street in Digbeth at around 3.30am.

Police have not yet confirmed his name but he has been identified online on a fundraising page , where a friend is trying to raise money for his funeral.

A statement on the page reads: “Our brother Abraham Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhu Raaji’un, has sadly passed away on 17th December 2016, being brutally stabbed to death.

“We are devestated to have lost our dearest brother and friend to a great injustice. We pray that Allah (Swt) showers his mercy on him and grants him Jannat ul-firdous.

“Abraham was a 23 year old hardworking, humble, caring and kind hearted brother.

“Abraham unfortunately has no family here in the United Kingdom and we are not sure about his family’s wherabouts because they live in Syria.

“Abraham had fled Syria in order to find a better standard of living here in Birmingham, the UK. However, he was tragically killed.

“Brothers and sisters we urge you to donate whatever that comes from your heart in order for us to be able to give Abraham the send-off that he deserves.

“This is truly the time for our community to pull together and show support to Abraham’s friends who are trying to raise the money needed for his funeral.”

About 4.8 million Syrians have fled the country as refugees since civil war broke out in 2011.

Police in Birmingham set up a blue forensic tent at the scene near the entrance to the Raxo Shisha lounge after Mr Ismail’s body was found.

Detective Inspector Paul Joyce said: “We are still trying to piece together what happened in the early hours. We are looking into reports there was an altercation but I would urge anybody with any information to get in contact as soon as possible.”

On Mad Friday last police in Birmingham arrested 18 people for drunkenness and assault, including one man for attacking an ambulance worker.

Source: mirror.co.uk