Pakistani Boy Kamran Yousaf killed by Robbers in Australia at his Villawood fruit shop
Up to 5000 mourners turn out to farewell Villawood shooting victim Kamran Yousaf at Rooty Hill Mosque
EID al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is an important day on the
Islamic religious calendar, commemorating Abraham's willingness to
sacrifice his son for God.
Yesterday, as 5000 Muslims gathered at a western Sydney mosque, the
ultimate sacrifice made by one of their own was written all over the
faces of Kamran Yousaf's close friends.
The Pakistani student, 28, was shot dead five days ago but the pain of
his loss was being deeply felt by his friends as they carried his coffin
from a simple white station wagon into a packed Rooty Hill Mosque.
Following a funeral prayer by Imam Hafiz Tahir and a message of
condolence from Pakistan Consul-General Abdul Aziz Uqaili, mourners
crowded around the back of the station wagon to pay their respects to
the accountancy student, who was shrouded in white in an open coffin.
As they cried and embraced, still shocked that Mr Yousaf was shot trying
to stop a cash register being taken during an armed robbery of the
Villawood Value Fruit Market, some were angry at the nature of his
death.
About 5000 mourners turned out for the memorial service for Kamran Yousaf
Friend Muhammad said he last saw Mr Yousaf two months ago at the end of
Ramadan and he had attended the Rooty Hill Mosque infrequently for
Friday prayers. "It's a big loss for the family. He was just married
last year in September. He was a very happy and religious person," he
said.
"His routine was waking up in the morning and offering prayer, citation and then go for the job.
"We believe as a Muslim that death is for everyone, we have to go back,
there is a time for everyone. Every living thing has to die but dying
like that is a most shocking thing."
Pakistani Consulate welfare officer Sardar Balakh Sher Khosa, who has
been by the sides of Mr Yousaf's Auburn housemates and friends since the
shooting, said the death had made headlines in Pakistan and Mr Yousaf's
mother had been taken to hospital after collapsing in shock at the
news.
Kamran Yousaf was shot during an attempted robbery at his Villawood fruit shop
"They are not well off. They are weeping and crying and in a state of
shock. She (Mrs Yousaf) was asking 'where is my child? Where is my
child?' We have made arrangements for an ambulance to take the body to
Gujrat for the funeral and burial,'' he said.
Mr Tahir said he had spoken to Mr Yousaf's friends during the week to
see if they needed any help with funeral costs "so we as a community can
help".
"He was studying and was working and got married. He was planning to go home, it's very sad,'' he said.
"If God decides for you to die you never know."
Mr Tahir said he wasn't sure why the 28-year-old resisted: "Maybe that
was his honesty. Some people think they are responsible.''
Mr Yousaf is survived by his wife, parents, two sisters and one brother.
Linh Dang, 27, from Sadleir and Lance Lachlan Murdoch, 27, of Villawood,
have been charged with murder and armed robbery. Both have been refused
bail to appear again in December.
