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Azhar Ali

Wednesday, March 09 2005 @ 10:09 AM MST
Contributed by: tomw
Views: 3,799

Newsday -- The distraught family of a Queens soldier killed in Iraq made a desperate plea yesterday for the slain man's parents to be granted entry to New York for a Muslim funeral.

Spc. Azhar Ali, 27, was one of two soldiers killed Tuesday in what military officials said was a roadside ambush at an insurgent hot spot near the Iraqi airport.

The other soldier, Spc. Wai Lwin, 27, of Douglaston, was riding with Ali in the Humvee, officials reported. Both were scouts for the famous "Fighting 69th" Regiment, which has lost six New York area members since the fighting started.

In what family members and a city councilman described as an insensitive slight, Ali's parents, in their native Pakistan, never knew that their son was killed until late last week, well beyond the 24-hour period in which Muslims must be buried.

"At least, what this country, this government can do for us is to get his family here," said Sunny Sharif, 25, Ali's cousin. "The death he had is not pleasant, of course. We just want to hold his funeral as soon as possible so his soul can be in peace."

Adding to the family's grief, Ali's father, Mubarak Ali, and mother, Mushtar Begun, who live about 30 minutes north of Karachi, have faced hostility by local media and others in Pakistan who hold anti-American views, the victim's brother said.

"We wanted to take our brother's body to Pakistan, but now it's too late," said the brother, Zulfiqar Ali, 33.

"In the future, what happens, God knows," Ali added. "But right now, I just want to have the family here for the funeral."

A funeral for Ali will be held in Kew Gardens Hills, where he attend John Bowne High School high school before joining the 69th Infantry in 1998. He will be buried in a Muslim cemetery on Long Island, family members said.

"The emotional drain of losing a son is simply unspeakable," said City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing), who is joining Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) in helping the family. "The additional ordeals that the family has been put through are unconscionable."

Meanwhile yesterday, Lwin's family was visited a second time by two Army casualty officers who helped them plan a burial and showed them photos of military cemeteries in Pinelawn and Arlington, Va.

"It's a tough time," said Khant Lwin, the victim's younger brother. "My dad is trying to be strong for my mom right now. My mom is trying to be brave."

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Azhar Ali | 3 comments | Create New Account

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Azhar Ali

Authored by: anonymous on Thursday, April 07 2005 @ 07:40 AM MDT

Azhar Ali will always be in our Hearts!!! i just wished i was there with my friend (Waqar Ali) Azhar Alis older brother whom i have known for over 12 years. Azhar was a very smart, great and an honorable man. He will always be missed..... Farhan Riaz Baloch. College Point, New York.

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Azhar Ali

Authored by: anonymous on Monday, August 29 2005 @ 11:14 AM MDT

Rest in peace my friend.

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Azhar Ali

Authored by: anonymous on Sunday, January 08 2006 @ 09:49 PM MST

Azhar,
I would like to say thank you to you and the other soldier who was in that vehicle with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

A grateful citizen

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