Werribee House fire victims given traditional Islamic Funeral

Four children tragically killed in a fire at their Werribee home have been farewelled in an emotional service attended by hundreds of mourners.

Hundreds of mourners have farewelled the four children tragically killed in a Werribee house fire last weekend.

People streamed into Al-Taqwa Mosque, in Truganina, from 1pm on Saturday until the entire room was full.

They stood before the small coffins of two boys, Hamid, 10, Nadir, 3 – and girls Esin, 6, and one-year-old Elin, to deliver a traditional Islamic prayer ceremony.

Their family – including father Nagmeldin Osman, who escaped the blaze after son Ibrahim raised the alarm – arrived after most of the nearly 800 mourners had assembled.

Some who prayed were friends and connections of the family. Others were regular visitors at the mosque and came to honour lost members of their Islamic community.

As sheik Abu Hamza addressed the group, more people flowed into the mosque to pray and pay their respects.

People saying their goodbyes to the four young victims. Picture: Sarah Matray

A small coffin being taken to the waiting hearse. Picture: Sarah Matray

Abu Hamza said all of Melbourne’s Muslim community had been “affected by this tragedy”.

“But this is a trial,” Abu Hamza said.

“Death does not differentiate between young and old, strong and weak, healthy and unhealthy.

“I ask Allah, the almighty, to keep us steadfast and I beg you, my beloved brothers and respected sisters, to give your heart to the family that has suffered through this.

The children’s father, Nagmeldin Osman, is comforted outside at Al-Taqwa Mosque. Picture: Sarah Matray

“Through your comfort, through your smile, they will be comfortable and they will overcome the tragedy they have gone though.”

The fire that took the four children’s lives broke out in their home.

Ibrahim woke up his parents when the house was already filled with smoke.

Mr Osman said he tried four times to save his other children from their bedroom but the fire was too big for him to break through.

The children were buried at Flinders Memorial Park in Lara.

Originally published as Werribee House fire victims given traditional Islamic Funeral