MARAKAH, 23 May 2024 – The funeral ceremony for the late Sergeant Faridah binti Abd Rahman, who passed away in Lebanon on May 18, 2024 (Saturday) at 2:25 AM Lebanese time (7:25 AM Malaysian time) due to a heart attack, was conducted with military honors by UNIFIL at Rafik Hariri International Airport, Beirut, Lebanon.

The ceremony was attended by UNIFIL Commander, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazaro, Malaysian Ambassador to Lebanon, His Excellency Azri bin Mat Yaacob, Commander of the 5th Brigade of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) South Litani Sector, Brigadier General Ahmad Saadeh, Western Sector Commander, Brigadier General Enrico Fontana, and MALBATT Commander 850-11, Colonel Burhan bin Sagoni.

The arrival of the body was also marked by the presence of the MALBATT 850-11 Contingent. The atmosphere of mourning was palpable as the body was taken down from the hearse and carried in. Distinguished guests saluted as the coffin, draped in the UNIFIL flag, was placed in the middle of the field. A prayer was read by Staff Officer 2 Religion, MALBATT 850-11, Major Ustaz Mohd Aiman bin Ahmad Termizi, before the ceremony commenced.

The ceremony began with the awarding of the United Nations Medal and the Lebanon Bronze Military Valor Medal to the deceased. Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazaro, Commander of UNIFIL, placed the UN medal in recognition of the deceased's sacrifices while serving under the United Nations banner. This was followed by Brigadier General Ahmad Saadeh, the LAF representative, who placed the Lebanese medal as a token of appreciation from the Government of Lebanon.

The ceremony continued with the laying of wreaths, starting with the UNIFIL Commander and followed by the Malaysian Ambassador to Lebanon, representatives of the LAF, the Western Sector Commander, and the MALBATT Commander. The field fell silent and somber as the last post was played, serving as a final tribute to the late Sergeant Faridah.

To conclude the ceremony, the UNIFIL flag was folded by MALBATT members and a prayer was read. The deceased's coffin, now covered with the Jalur Gemilang, was carried out of the field and taken to the cargo storage area for the flight to Malaysia.

The plane departed from Rafik Hariri International Airport, Beirut at 12:05 PM Lebanese time (5:05 PM Malaysian time), heading to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for the funeral in the deceased's hometown of Pendang, Kedah.

Source: MyJointForce