A funeral prayer in absentia was held for the soul of the late Sheikh Abu Farid Melhem Suleiman Assaf, the representative of the Sheikhdom of Aql in Sydney – Australia, who was mourned by the Sheikhdom of Aql and the general residents of his hometown, Al-Warhaniyeh, Chouf. The ceremony was attended by His Eminence the Sheikh Aql of the Druze Unitarian community in Lebanon, Sheikh Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, leading a delegation of sheikhs, members of the Sectarian Council, advisors, and representatives from the directorates of the Sheikhdom of Aql and the Sectarian Council, alongside the participation of a number of sheikhs and spiritual, social, and civic figures from the town and the region.
In a eulogy delivered by His Eminence the Sheikh Aql before the prayer, he said:
“God Almighty says: In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, ﴿Those whom the angels take in death [while they are] good and pure; [the angels] will say, 'Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do'﴾, and He also said: 'Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection.'
These are two interrelated principles: the reality of death, and 'what you used to do,' as a person is rewarded for their deeds sooner or later. Our departed, Sheikh Abu Farid Melhem Assaf, our representative in Sydney, Australia, whom we bid farewell today with sorrow and testimony, has been remembered through the kind tributes we heard, especially from those who lived and accompanied him in the assemblies of remembrance in Sydney, where a massive funeral was held for him there, with the participation of brothers, members of the diaspora community, and representatives of various sects. All have testified to his character and his fulfillment of his duty in the best way possible, with a pure intention, a good will, and high wisdom.”
He added: “Expatriation is not of the body, but rather the expatriation of the soul. Sheikh Melhem was not an expatriate even though he was a migrant, not in his mind, nor in his thought, nor in his adherence to the Unitarian Ma'roufi roots. He was present in them as if he were here with us, and this is our constant message. How much we need his likes in the countries of the diaspora to preserve the Unitarian, Ma'roufi, and national values that we fear might be lost among the coming generations. This lies at the core of our mission and message, and we rely in this on his likes among the representatives and the honorable members of the community wherever they are.”
He concluded: “The absence of Sheikh Melhem coincides with the passing of Sheikh Ayoub Ghanem today, both of whom we lament. This is the moment of death, and this is fate and destiny from which there is no escape. May God have mercy on them, and to God we belong and to Him we shall return.”
Then, the funeral prayer in absentia was held for the soul of Sheikh Assaf.
