Barho children to be remembered in public funeral Saturday

A public funeral will be held Saturday in Halifax for the seven Barho children who died in a house fire this week.

The Ummah Masjid and Community Center posted details to its Facebook page Friday morning. The Imam Council of Nova Scotia will lead the service.

Abdallah Yousri, the imam of the mosque, said it was decided to move the funeral to a bigger venue after receiving an outpouring of support from the community for Kawthar Barho, the children's mother.

"We believe this is the best thing we can do for her right now to show her the support of the community," Yousri said.

Everyone is welcome to attend the funeral, which will include an introduction and prayers for the Barho children and their parents, he said.

"In our traditions we don't break the sorrow at the funeral, we don't joke, we don't laugh, we do it as a kind of respect," said Yousri.

After the burial and a vigil, the sorrow is broken to recall the joyful memories with the children, said Yousri.

Those planning to attend should gather at the Cunard Centre in south-end Halifax by 1:30 p.m. for a 2 p.m. start.

The seven Barho children — three-month-old Abdullah; Rana, 2; Hala, 3; Ola, 8; Mohamad, 9; Rola, 12; and Ahmed, 14 — died Tuesday morning after a fire swept through their Halifax home.

Ebraheim, the children's father, remained in a medically induced coma in hospital on Friday.