A YOUNG medic who was inspired by a doctor killed in the conflict in Syria has graduated from medical school.

Karim Al Jian, 24, shared a tribute to Dr Abbas Khan on social media on the day of his graduation from Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

In a moving post Karim wrote: “In 2012 British surgeon Abbas Khan went to Aleppo, Syria to treat wounded civilians. He was consequently tortured and murdered by the Assad regime.

“His story touched many, including a 15-year-old boy from Aleppo who wanted to be like Dr Khan. Today that boy graduated a doctor.”

Karim also shared a picture of himself in a graduation gown by the West Pier holding a photograph of Dr Abbas.

Dr Abbas Khan travelled to Aleppo in Syria in 2012 to provide care to civilians, but he was murdered by the regime.

Nearly ten years after his death, Karim’s post went viral on Twitter and was spotted by Dr Abbas’ sister, Sara.

Sara said she was “incredibly touched” after meeting with Karim following the response on social media.

Speaking to Karim on the BBC, Sara said: “It’s inspiring the fact you have dedicated your medical career and said thank you to Abbas.

“I can’t explain to you how touched my family and I are.”

Karim and his family moved to North Devon from Aleppo when his father was given the chance to train as a psychiatrist.

He said he heard about the death of Dr Abbas on social media and chose to become a doctor after seeing how he had saved lives during the Syrian conflict.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Karim said: "I was quite active on social media because of the situation in Syria and I used to follow it quite closely as it really affected me on a personal level.

“I saw on Twitter that this British doctor was killed in a detention in Syria.

“For me, as a naïve 16-year-old boy it kind of struck a chord in my heart this doctor came to the city I was born in.

"He wasn't Syrian and started speaking to his family now he wasn't particularly interested in Syria as a country itself, not the culture not the cuisines, the political situation nor the history.

“He went there because there was a crisis in the moment and from the kindness of his own heart, he wanted to save people's lives."

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.