Shivangi Sinha
In June 2017, a catastrophic fire engulfed Grenfell Tower in West London, killing 72 people and leaving a lasting scar on the community. Netflix’s ‘Grenfell: Uncovered’ revisits the tragedy through powerful first-hand accounts from survivors, families, and campaigners. One of the most poignant voices is that of Omar Alhajali, a survivor who was trapped in the tower with his brother Mohammad. While Omar escaped, his brother did not survive. Since then, Omar has become a powerful advocate and honored his brother’s memory by speaking out about the failures that led to the incident and demanding justice for all those who were lost.
Omar Alhajali Was Trapped in the Grenfell Tower Along With His Brother
In 2014, brothers Omar and Mohammad Alhajali fled war-torn Syria in search of a safer life and eventually settled in the United Kingdom. By 2016, they had moved into Grenfell Tower with a friend, Mahmoud Alkarad. On the night of June 14, 2017, after celebrating Ramadan, they returned home when Mohammad noticed smoke and raised the alarm. Attempting to escape, they found the stairwell already filled with thick smoke and decided to shelter in their flat. Later, a firefighter led them to another apartment where others had gathered, including Denis Murphy, Zainab Deen, and her young son Jeremiah.
Omar recounted the growing panic as smoke poured in and people grew desperate, including one man who fashioned a rope from bedsheets to escape. Eventually, someone guided Omar through the smoke-filled corridor, but he became separated from his brother. Outside, he realized he was the only one who had made it out. He called Mohammad, who answered, saying no one had come for him. Omar pleaded with firefighters to rescue his brother, but amid the chaos, his cries were lost. Mohammad, overcome by smoke and fear, ultimately jumped from the tower at around 5 am and died. It is believed that he saw people collapsing in front of him and had to make that call.
Omar Alhajali Had to Face Many Personal Battles After the Incident
Omar Alhajali knew from the beginning that he had to fight for justice for his brother, Mohammad, and for everyone who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower tragedy. He provided a detailed written account and was always ready to testify, ensuring his voice was heard. At an October 2018 hearing at Holborn Bars, he publicly refuted a firefighter’s claim that he had said no one else was in the flat. Omar insisted he had repeatedly begged for help for his brother, and CCTV footage later supported his account and showed him pleading outside the building.
He remained steadfast throughout inquiries and investigations, demanding accountability from those responsible. Omar appeared in several interviews and documentaries, becoming a powerful and heart-wrenching voice in the fight for justice. In 2018, he shared that he continued to suffer nightmares, often dreaming of his brother and reliving that terrible night. After the incident, his parents and sisters relocated from Syria to the UK. Though he eventually moved into a flat of his own, the trauma of losing his brother made it unbearable to return to an empty home. Instead, he spent much of his time in a hotel with his family, seeking comfort in their presence while trying to heal.
Omar Alhajali is Most Likely Running His Own Business Today
Omar Alhajali continues to be an important voice of a survivor and has not given up fighting for rightful justice. He was among the nearly 900 survivors and families who were part of the civil lawsuit filed in 2019 against companies like Arconic and Celotex, which provided the materials used in the tower’s cladding. In 2023, the group was awarded a settlement of £150 million. However, this civil compensation is separate from any potential criminal charges, which, to date, have not been brought against those deemed responsible.
Omar previously worked in business development and is now believed to be running his own business in London. Reports indicate that he has since married and has two children of his own. He named his son Mohammad as an homage to the brother and ally he lost. Despite building a new life, the memory of his brother has never left him. In December 2024, Omar spoke briefly to the media following the reported overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He reflected on the news with a sense of emotional gravity, stating that it would have brought joy to Mohammad, who, like Omar, had witnessed the horrors of the Assad regime before fleeing to the UK. It was yet another reminder of the past they shared and the journey that ended far too soon for one of them. Though he carries on quietly, Omar’s voice continues to resonate in the broader calls for justice, truth, and remembrance.
Read More: Gomes Family: Where Are the Grenfell Fire Survivors Now?
