James Woo
RELI 1003 (8:00 –TR)
Funeral Project
3/6/2012

The Funeral

My name is David Jones, a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army. On, September 11, 2001, my friend (Andrew Khan, Staff Sergeant U.S. Army) died due to the collapse of the World Trade Center. We were both assigned to the NYC Army National Guard as Military Police. On that tragic day, both of us were called for assistance in the evacuation of the office workers in the twin towers. While I was told to direct traffic a few miles outside the buildings, Andrew was sent to the towers for direct evacuation of the workers. Fifteen minutes later, a huge roar and crash was heard among the city skies. Only then did I realize I would never see my friend again. Andrew Khan grew up in a Muslim home right outside of NYC; therefore, he had a strong Islam faith. I would always see him praying to what sounded like a big block called Mecca, but of course I would never question his beliefs. I come from a Christian home, so I knew the importance of one’s belief. When his parents heard the news, they were in total shock and grief. How painful it must feel for them to lose their one and only son. Andrew was hospitalized and in critical condition. The doctor said that it would be a miracle if he even made it through the night. That evening all the family members gathered around his bed and provided prayers and comfort to remind him how merciful and forgiving God is. In minutes, the air was filled with verses from the Qur’an to give Andrew comfort as he approaches his last couple hours on earth. Slowly but surly, Andrew whispers,” I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.”[1] These were his last words to signify his faith. Usually, when a family member dies, there is a lot of mourning and weeping. It’s a war zone of tears and cries by close relatives and family members. I was quite surprised to see that Andrew’s family remained calm and wept in silence, as it is encouraged to remain calm and pray for the deceased[2] . A Muslim must remember that Allah is the one that gives life and takes it away when appointed by Him. The family gathered and hastily prepared for the burial of Andrew within the next day or two. Everything was happening so fast that I did not know what was going on. They wanted to hurry and bury him in order for him to be undisturbed and sent peacefully to Allah. The next morning, the family proceeded with cleaning and shrouding the body. The body was cleaned with scented water, dressed back in uniform, and wrapped in a clean, white cloth to shroud and represent with the best of garments for the dead. They also left his uniform on and not to be removed since he had died of wounds while protecting on the battlefield. This cloth is also known as a ‘kafan’.[3] Later that afternoon, only a day after Andrew had passed, we were all gathered at a small mosque (located outside of NYC). The imam (prayer leader) held the funeral and the family proceeded to pray five times, but rather in silence. As the imam said the last words to end the short service, we all returned home and set the burial date for the following morning. Andrew was taken to a nearby cemetery for burial. While all members of the family attend the funeral prayers, only the men of the community accompany the body to the gravesite. It is preferred for a Muslim to be buried where he or she died, and not be transported to another location or country. This may cause delays or require embalming the body. “The deceased is laid in the grave (without a coffin if permitted by local law) on his or her right side, facing Mecca. At the gravesite, it is discouraged for people to erect tombstones, elaborate markers, or put flowers or other mementos. Rather, one should humbly remember Allah and His mercy, and pray for the deceased.”[4] Only after two days of his death, Andrew now sleeps peacefully in the ground, where Allah has taken him back. Only prayers will heal wounds of the family.

The Eulogy Andrew