Victim of Christchurch mosque attacks Areeb Ahmed buried in Karachi
Funeral prayers for Christchurch victim Areeb Ahmed offered in Karachi.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Hundreds gathered to pay their final respects in Karachi on Monday as the remains of one of the Pakistani victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks were laid to rest at the Sakhi Hassan Graveyard.
Syed Areeb Ahmad was one of nine Pakistani nationals murdered in the New Zealand city earlier the month, when an accused white supremacist gunman killed 50 Muslim worshippers in two mosques.
The funeral prayers for Christchurch terrorist attack victim Areeb Ahmed were offered in Karachi’s Dastagir No 9 area on Monday.
People in large numbers gathered for the prayers along with political leaders. The martyred was laid to rest at the Sakhi Hassan Graveyard.
Meanwhile, the political parties remained busy in point scoring and hoisted respective party flags at the Janazgah.
Ahmad s body was flown into the southern port city of Karachi and transported to a relative s house where family and friends gathered before heading to the cemetery for the burial.
"It was very painful for the parents and all of us to wait. His funeral is taking place now that is a bit of relief for us," said Ahmad s uncle Aleemullah Khan.
"But his father is in so much agony as Areeb was his only son and the provider for the family," he added.
The other eight Pakistani victims were buried in New Zealand, according to the Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman.
Ahmad s burial comes days after Pakistani officials posthumously awarded Naeem Rashid -- who tried to tackle the gunman before being shot dead -- with the order of bravery during Pakistan Day celebrations over the weekend.
During a visit to Islamabad Monday, the EU s diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini offered her condolences to the victim s families, while warning against the growing threat of Islamophobia.
"It s a threat not only for Muslims but also for our societies because the strength of our societies lies in their diversity and whoever attacks the diversity of our societies, attacks the entire society, not just one segment of it," Mogherini told a press conference.
