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Thousands mourn 7 Syrian siblings killed in Canada fire
MONTREAL, Feb 24, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Around 2,000 mourners attended the
funeral on Saturday of seven children from a Syrian refugee family who died
earlier this week in a house fire in Halifax, eastern Canada.
Ahmad Barho and siblings Rola, Mohammed, Ola, Hala, Rana and Abdullah —
whose ages ranged from four months to 15 years — all perished in the as-yet
unexplained blaze at their home on Tuesday.
Their father, Ebraheim Barho, suffered serious burns and remains in a
medically induced coma in hospital, according to Canadian media. Their
mother, Kawthar Barho, was less seriously injured. She was present at the
funeral.
“I’ve attended many funerals but nothing like this, so please bear with
me,” said Sheikh Hamza, who spoke at the moving ceremony, struggling to
overcome grief.
The Barho family arrived in Canada in 2017, and were among an estimated
40,000 refugees received by the country since 2015.
The funeral, broadcast on several news channels, was carried out according
to Muslim tradition.
Due to the number of people attending, it took place not in a mosque but
in a cavernous hall on the Halifax waterfront, with all 2,000 seats full and
several mourners standing.
“We have all been affected by this tragedy,” said Nova Scotia lieutenant
governor Arthur Leblanc.
Member of Parliament Andy Fillmore said authorities were working to bring
other members of the Barho family to Canada to support Kawthar Barho.
The tragedy provoked an outpouring of sympathy across Canada, with a
fundraiser for the family bringing in nearly half a million Canadian dollars
($380,000) in just a few days.
The seven small white coffins were accompanied by a guard of honor before
being transported to a Muslim cemetery near Halifax.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0948 hrs