PUTRAJAYA: Tears and a sorrowful atmosphere accompanied the burial ceremony of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the Founding Imam Cemetery in Lusail City, Doha, Qatar today.
This somber event was witnessed by thousands, including several leaders from Islamic countries.
Heading the Malaysian delegation representing the government at the ceremony was Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
Along with the national delegation, Shamsul Anuar was accompanied by representatives from the Malaysian Embassy in Doha to escort Haniyeh's remains to his final resting place in the cemetery.
He said that on behalf of the Malaysian government, he had the opportunity to pay his last respects to the high-ranking Hamas leader.
"The presence of thousands during the funeral prayer and burial clearly demonstrates the high regard for him as a revered leader of Palestine.
"Undoubtedly, his struggle will continue in the effort to free Palestine from Zionist oppression and achieve independent statehood," he told BH.
Shamsul Anuar added that his attendance at the ceremony was accompanied by Senator Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Malaysian Embassy in Doha.
Earlier, he said that his delegation arrived at Hamad International Airport at 6am local time.
They were received by officials from the Malaysian Embassy in Doha.
"Thank you to all the embassy officials who worked tirelessly to facilitate this journey," he said.
Previously, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed in a pre-dawn attack on their residence in Tehran last Wednesday.
Haniyeh had visited Iran to attend the inauguration ceremony of its new President, Masoud Pezeshkian, last Tuesday.
The assassination of the Hamas leader occurred just hours after Israel attacked southern Beirut, killing Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr.