Thousands Attend Omar Barrow's Funeral

Thousands of mourners yesterday afternoon gathered at the Latrikunda
Yiringagnia Mosque at the funeral of Omar Barrow, a Red Cross volunteer who
was shot to death while helping wounded and fleeing students inside the Red
Cross headquarters premises, during Monday's student demonstration

Mr Barrow was also the editor at Sud FM radio station in Banjul. His remains
were interred at the Latrikunda cemetery at 3pm.There were dramatic scenes
of outpouring of grief. Many mourners, particularly among his colleagues in
the Red Cross, collapsed and fainted due to the odd mix of grief and heat
from the blazing sun.

Loud wailings and moans punctuated the long eulogies.Andrew Jarju, acting
secretary general of the Gambia Red Cross Society, described Barrow as "a
committed and dedicated volunteer, always willing to render service when
needed."

Sheikh Lewis, head of a local human rights group, said Barrow's death was a
murder most foul. "I call on Imams to pray so that Government will have
sympathy for its people," he said.

A relation of Omar Barrow from Brufut, said, "When the president returns, we
will have to sit with him and tell him security officials should protect and
respect Gambians."

Imam Momodou Lamin Drammeh  described Omar Barrow as a "shahid" (martyr) in
the cause of humanity and said heaven awaits him.He also reminded the
gathering of the Qur'anic verses that every creature shall have to die and
that none shall exceed a second living.

Cherif el-Valide Sy, head of the Sud group, Cherno Jallow and Swaebou
Conateh of the Gambia Press Union, the alkalo of Latrikunda and many other
people acquainted with Barrow spoke at the funeral.

Omar Barrow is survived by wife,  Awa Sanneh-Barrow and a seven month-old
daughter, Fatou (named after his colleague at Sud FM).The wife of the
Latrikunda imam, testifying to Omar Barrow's virtues said,

"Only last week, he volunteered and gave me his blood while I was admitted
at the RVH."Well, he also gave his blood and life for the principles of
helping humanity.


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