Ramallah (AsiaNews) -- It was "a public outpouring with over 150,000 people bidding their final farewell to Arafat", "a moment highly charged with emotion" and "of extreme commotion", but "there were no moments of danger". The pastor of the Latin-rite Holy Family Parish, Father Ibrahim Hijazin, tells AsiaNews about Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's burial and announces that a funeral vigil will be held in all the churches of Ramallah Sunday evening.
Father Ibrahim tells of "a huge crowd that chanted and called out Arafat's name at the top of their voice" and confirms that slogans were shouted against Israel and Prime Minister Sharon. "People are accusing the Israeli government of having sent in assassins to poison the Palestinian leader", but everyone is hoping that the new leaders will "follow in Arafat's path toward the creation of a Palestinian state".
Here is the rest of Father Ibrahim Hijzain's interview with AsiaNews:
How did people react in the end to Arafat's burial?
People today were calling out Arafat's name at the top of their voice and chanting for a free state. The Palestinians did not cry but forcefully shouted their desire to follow in Arafat's path for the creation of a free state in Palestine. The Palestinian authority had already planned for some time the handover of power. Three people have now taken on the roles and duties that previously were in the hands of Arafat.
Were there tense or frightening moments?
There was considerable commotion but no one was ever in danger. I was there but did not even see the coffin because of the large crowds. People came in throngs to bid farewell to the father and historic leader of Palestine, but there were no tense moments.
How have Christian Palestinians reacted?
Like the rest of the population. Christians of Palestine went to pay their final respects to Arafat as did the Arab Palestinians. There was no difference.
Are they planning to commemorate Arafat's death?
On Sunday, all the churches of Ramallah will hold a funeral vigil: everyone, especially the young, will come together and rally round Arafat's tomb to pray. (DS)