New York, - Guyanese turned out in large numbers on Saturday at a viewing to pay their final respects to the young Guyanese soldier who was killed in Iraq last week.
Twenty-two year old Rasheed Saheb was killed in what the U.S. government said was "a tragic mishap" two Sundays ago in Iraq (about 3 PM Iraqi time) while on active duty for the U.S military. Saheb, a Berbician, emigrated to New York fifteen years ago with his family.
Hundreds turned out nightly at the family's home in Bushwick, Brooklyn to give support to the bereaved family who patiently waited for the handing over of the young soldier's body for the funeral service.
Family members said Saheb's body was flown to Dover Air Force Base, just outside of Washington, via Germany, last Thursday. Then the body was driven to Brooklyn on a military hearse Friday and reached the family's home in Bushwick, Brooklyn just before noon. The hearse drove in front of the home where Saheb grew up and circled the block before proceeding to the funeral chapel where the deceased lay in state.
Hundreds showed up to view the body at Grace Funeral Chapel in Brooklyn on Friday afternoon. Viewing was from noon to 9 PM. A collection of photographs from his early years until recently was posted outside the chapel where his body lay.
The casket bearing the remains was draped in an American flag. Saheb was dressed in military uniform. Family members said the U.S. government requested a full military funeral for the deceased at a military cemetery on Long Island. But the family turned down the offer and opted for a traditional Muslim funeral. The family agreed, however, to the military honours of a gun salute and the draping of the casket with the American stars and stripes flag at the funeral.
The family said they are pleased with the government arrangements for the funeral. The government is paying all expenses for the funeral.
The military said Rajeb was accidentally killed when a rifle being cleaned by another soldier went off with the bullet striking him in the chest. He died shortly after being shot. His parents were notified of his death at about 4 PM Guyana time which is the same time in New York.
The family said that the government has promised to notify them of the events leading to the accident as soon as the investigation is complete. Saheb's uncle, Abdullah, said: "Right now, we put our faith in the government. We don't have a choice. He died in a military compound. We can't do our own investigation. We have to wait until the government tell us exactly what happened".
Saheb was born in Letter Kenny, Corentyne. He celebrated his 22nd birthday last April 29 in Iraq where he was posted from April 1 until his death six weeks later. His family did not hear from him since he was posted in Iraq.
Saheb was the eldest of four children of his mother. He is survived by one brother (Safraz) and two sisters (Fizeea and Shabana), his mother Faizoon (40), his father, Abdul Razack, and his step-father, Seenarine. He is also survived by several aunts and uncles and an 80-year-old grandmother who resides in N.Y. Saheb was the maternal grandson of Ashraf and Zabida of Letter Kenny and the paternal grandson of Saheb and Zaitoon of No.19 Village.
Family members said no one from the Guyana missions in the U.S showed up for the wake, the viewing or the funeral for the Guyanese hero. Although he served in the U.S military and had lived in the U.S. for fifteen years, Saheb maintained his Guyanese citizenship. He promised his mother that when he completed his military duties, he would seek American citizenship. It is expected that President George W. Bush will grant citizenship posthumously as he had done for ten other soldiers who were killed in Iraq and who were green card holders (permanent residents) of the U.S.
Fizoon has been devastated by the loss of her son. Family members said she has not eaten for days and is extremely weak with her eyes swollen from a continuous flow of tears.
The funeral home was overcrowded with mourners with many spilling over onto the streets. At the funeral service, speaker after speaker paid glowing tribute to the young fallen soldier. He was described as a loving son and brother and many reflected on his youthful days at home and school. He was also described as a brave soldier who gave his life to his adopted country.
The coffin, draped in the American flag bearing the deceased was carried out of the funeral home by men dressed in Islamic garb (Muslim clerics) at 10 AM. About a hundred vehicles followed the funeral cortege to the Muslim cemetery in New Jersey for internment at noon. He was given a traditional gun salute deserving of a solider who lost his life in service to the nation.