As the shrouded white coffin of Vancouver businessman Nagib Damji passed on bearers’ shoulders, the congregation repeatedly sang a soothingly hypnotic Salwaat, or prayer, for Damji, one of two Canadians who died in a weekend terrorist attack in Kenya that killed at least 68.
About 400 people attended the ceremony at the Burnaby Ismaili Centre to commemorate Damji, 59, who was having a coffee at ArtCaffe in the Westgate Shopping Mall in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi last weekend when he was caught in a crossfire.
Damji’s family released a statement Friday, describing him as “a loving husband, cherished father of three daughters, a brother, a son and a good friend to many.” They noted his “vivacious, kindhearted, gregarious” nature and his “magnetic personality and a great love for people, especially his family.”
In keeping with Muslim tradition, the funeral ceremony itself was all about a community coming together in support rather than a celebration of individuality. Muslims believe that everyone is equal in the eyes of God, so all funerals are identical with the same prayers, rites and ceremonies. Continuous prayers are recited for the soul of the deceased from the moment the death is known until funeral ceremonies are complete.
Men and women sat separately Friday, mostly cross-legged on the floor, and sang continuous prayers for about an hour.
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Kenya terror attack victim commemorated
Ismailimail 