An Islamic funeral, know in local parlance as ‘adua’ has been held for the late Mariam Kasim, the 17-year-old student who was killed by a vehicle on the Madina-Adenta highway on Thursday.
Mariam’s death sparked a furious reaction by angry residents who called for the immediate completion of abandoned footbridges on the highway; a call which the government responded swiftly by ordering the immediate start of work on the abandoned footbridges.
Mariam’s death assumed a topical issue of national proportion, and this was reflected at her funeral on Sunday which had high profile Imams, Zongo Chiefs, government officials as well as representatives of the country’s two major political parties present. The funeral was held at her family house in Madina.
Government was represented by Minister of State at the Office of the Vice President, Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique, who is also the Member of Parliament for Madina.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegation was led by Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the party Joseph Ade Coker, while the New Patriotic Patriotic (NPP) delegation was led by Abdul Aziz Haruna Futa, National Nasara Coordinator of NPP.
Delivering a sermon during the funeral, the Imam said Mariam’s death should be a reminder to all that every one is destined to leave this earth one day so it is important to continue to do good. The Imam also prayed for Allah’s mercy for the departed Mariam.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Boniface Abubakar Saddique prayed that Allah should grant Mariam ‘Jannatul Firdaus’, the highest place in heaven. He expressed optimism that the late Mariam woukd be received gracefully in the bossom of Allah.
Responding to a plea by NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Ade Coker to have an education scholarship scheme insituted in honour of Mariam, Hon Boniface agreed with Mr Ade Coker and said even though he already awards educational scholarships to his constituents, he will insitute a special scholarship scheme in her honour and memory.
The Minister added that he will grant the family of Mariam the opportunity to nominate deserving beneficiaries for this special scholarship.
The late Mariam’s school, West Africa Senior High School also sent a delegation to the funeral which was led by the Headmaster of the school. The delegation expressed the school’s condolences to the bereaved family and also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant Mariam Jannatul Firdaus.
An uncle for the late Mariam expressed the family’s appreciation to the general public, particularly the Madina community for their sympathy.
He also thanked Hon. Boniface for his immense support towards the burial and funeral, as well as the MP for Adenta, Hon. Yaw Buaben Asamoah also for his support.
