Last farewell for child prodigy Arfa Karim

Arfa Karim

LAHORE: Funeral prayers of the World’s Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional Arfa Karim Randhawa, who passed away on Saturday after protracted illness, were held on Sunday in Lahore, Express News reported.

The prayers, held in Cavalry Ground, were attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and attended by her close family members.

Her coffin was draped in the national flag. She was 16.

The teenage genius suffered an attack on that which had given her recognition and made her a source of inspiration for young and old across the country – her brain. Arfa had an epileptic attack on December 22 and had been in a coma since, while well-wishers prayed and watched her progress closely.

On December 29, doctors said there was no hope for her survival, and that her life support could be switched off “at any time”. However, she had then miraculously responded to certain stimuli, as recently as January 13.

Two more funeral prayers will be held for Arfa, one in Faislabad and another in her ancestral village where she is to be buried.

Condolences

As Pakistanis mourned the loss of the child prodigy, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also expressed grief and sorrow over Arfa’s demise. According to a statement released late on Saturday night, Gilani prayed for the departed soul and that Allah grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss.

Jamaat-e-Islami head Syed Munawar Hasan and Karachi chief Mohammad Hussain Mehanti also expressed grief at the death. Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain said in a statement that Pakistan has lost “precious talent” in Arfa Karim. He expressed grief at Arfa’s demise and has sympathised with the bereaved family members and prayed for Arfa’s soul.