Achi news desk-
Community members gathered at a mosque for Ahmad Al Marrach – a 16-year-old murder victim – for his funeral on Wednesday.
A steady stream of cars went to the Nova Scotia Islamic Community Center (NSICC). Within minutes, the car park was full of people there to pay their respects.
Family and friends greeted each other at the door with tears and long hugs.
Inside the community center it was no different as heads were bowed in mourning and prayers for Al Marrach.
“He was a good person and it was a tragedy. This happened to someone like him is crazy to think about,” said Abdalbari Elsaraiti, a classmate of Al Marrach.
Elsaraiti, along with others from the school, attended the funeral. They were all shocked to hear that Al Marrach had been killed.
“My heart dropped. I dropped my phone. Everything dropped,” Elsaraiti said.
Al Marrach was allegedly stabbed inside the Halifax Shopping Center parade on Monday, and later died in hospital from his injuries. No one has been charged in his death.
Ummah Masjid and Community Center social worker Hanaa Rashid knew the family through the mosque. He described Almarrach as “a young person who liked a scooter and doing what other young people like to do.”
He said the community was devastated by his death.
“A lot of shock. A lot of grief. I think there is also anger because when someone so young leaves and they leave this world so quickly,” he said.
Friends, family, neighbors and the Muslim community joined for funeral prayers before the burial.
Even those who did not know the family very well attended.
“Broken hearts, broken souls. How does one process the fact that a 16 year old is stabbed to death. Where do you start? I have daughters of my own,” says Fatima Cajee.
Following the prayers, the imam asked the youth to gather in front of the room around Al Marrach’s casket to reflect on life and death.
“Ask yourself this question. If I die now, whatever I did in the past, was it worth it?” A question the imam implored youth to ponder.
He spoke to them about the importance of making good choices and encouraged them to use the resources that community mosques offer when they are struggling.
Community Center and Ummah Masjid are holding a flat Wednesday to help youth process the death of Al Marrach.
