Funeral held for five victims killed in Minneapolis crash
Hundreds of mourners gathered Monday afternoon for a prayer service and burial for five young women who were killed Friday night on Lake Street in Minneapolis.
Community support for 17-year-old Sabiriin Ali, 20-year-old Sahra Gesaade, 20-year-old Salma Abdikadir, 19-year-old Sagal Hersi, and 19-year-old Siham Adam has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.
All five victims were members of the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington. The youngest, Ali, had just graduated from high school; the others were working on earning college degrees.
“They were really ambitious,” said Abdulhi Farah, a fellow member of the Islamic center. “… Even young people at the center looked up to them as role models.”
After a prayer service at Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center, the women were laid to rest at Garden of Eden Cemetery in Burnsville.
Police say around 10:15 Friday night, a driver blew through a red light at Lake Street and Second Avenue, hitting speeds of more than 95 mph before slamming into the car carrying the victims.
All five women, authorities say, died at the scene.
Leaders of the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center say the women were all on their way home from a shopping trip, picking up items for a friend’s wedding that was set to happen Saturday.
Some of the victims were talking to their parents just 15 minutes before the crash.
The tragic event sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s Islamic community. The news has even stretched to communities in East Africa.
“Just a really painful loss that we feel as a Somali Muslim community,” said Abdisalam Adam, imam at Masjid Dar Al-Hijrah in Minneapolis. “… We just hope that those of us who are alive, you know, appreciate life.”
But with feelings of deep sorrow, there’s also hope of healing.
“Today’s about those beautiful souls, those girls, and really honoring their life and what they’ve contributed to the community,” Farah said.
The suspected driver was arrested by law enforcement after the crash.
Authorities have not identified the suspect or commented on potential charges.