Vantaa, Finland (SSMV) A large number of Muslim community members gathered here in Vantaa on Wednesday to attend the funeral of a Somali family of five — a father, a mother, and their three children — in what has been described as one of the largest Muslim funerals in Finland in recent years – as Muslim community grief in unity.
The family died in a fire that broke out in their residential building in the city of Vantaa, according to a police and media reports that followed. A Child survived from the tragic incident which has deeply affected both the local Somali community and the wider public.
Mourners included religious leaders and community figures from across the region. Among those present were imams from mosques in Vantaa and Helsinki, alongside the chairman of the Somali Unity Community in Finland (Somaliliitto), the Somali ambassador in Sweden, and local council members from Vantaa and Helsinki among others.
Funeral prayers and burial rites were led by Sharmarke Said Aw-Mussen and Abdifatah Shekh Musse, who guided the religious proceedings in accordance with Islamic tradition. During the ceremony, they prayed for the deceased family to be granted a place in Paradise.
“This is a reminder that the grave awaits us all, and that it must be earned,” Aw-Mussen told those attending.
Some of the relatives of the deceased, wearing yellow T-shirts labeled “Relatives,” took part in the burial, their faces reflecting deep sorrow and were seen carrying the deceased one by one to their grave. While members of the Muslim community were allowed to take part the burial.
Several family members declined to speak to media outlets, choosing to mourn privately.
At the conclusion of the funeral, Aw-Mussen delivered a message on behalf of the family, urging anyone with outstanding debts to come forward and settle them, and encouraging forgiveness among those who may have wronged one another.
One mourner, who asked to remain anonymous, described the family as “martyrs twice,” referring to Islamic beliefs that those who die in fires may be granted martyrdom. He expressed hope that they would be rewarded with a place in Paradise.
The investigation into the fire has since taken a serious turn. A 71-year-old man has been arrested and remanded in custody by the Eastern Uusimaa District Court on probable cause suspicion of five murders, two attempted murders, and aggravated vandalism.
Speaking to the media after the funeral, Aw-Musse thanked those who helped organize the ceremony, noting the large turnout, and called on the Muslim community to continue praying for the family.
Authorities continue to investigate the case.
Written By: Mohamed Ibrahim, Responsible Editor in Chief of Finnish Somali Media Network (SSMV)
