RIYADH, 10 December 2004 — The funeral of the Sri Lankan who died in Monday’s terror attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah took place in Makkah yesterday after Isha prayers in deference to the wishes of his parents.
A large number of Sri Lankans and officials of the Sri Lankan Consulate General were present to pay their last respects to Fakhrudeen Mohamed Jaufer Sadiq, 24, from Hendessa, who was an armed guard at the US Consulate.
He succumbed to gunshot injuries to his head when he confronted the five terrorists who stormed the mission. Moulavi Mubarak flew in from Kuwait to participate in the funeral of his deceased brother.
Jaufer Sadiq was a contract worker attached to Othman and Ghamdi Security and General Services Company.
Another Sri Lankan Abdul Jabbar Mohamed Nirous, 26, an office assistant who escaped unhurt from the cross-fire is still under observation at the King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah.
Consul General A.M.J. Sadiq told Arab News from Jeddah that the mission was able to process the documentation to clear the body from the morgue because of the cooperation of Saudi officials.
The envoy said US Consul General Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley telephoned him on Wednesday to offer her personal condolences to the country and to the bereaved family in Colombo.
Jaufer Sadiq had been working for the company for the past three years and had applied to go on leave last week. He wanted to take his sick father to India for medical treatment during his vacation.
The manager of Othman and Ghamdi Security and General Services Company told the Lankan consul general that Jaufer Sadiq was a valiant guard who gave his life to safeguard the officers at his workplace.
“His was a noble death and Allah will reward him for his bravery and dedication,” the consul general said quoting the manager.
“I am happy that my brother died as a brave soldier who did his best while on duty and the Almighty will reward him for all his good work,” Moulavi Mubarak, who is a religious scholar, told Arab News.
