07.01 am, Friday May 25 2012

Community farewells drowned Somali teen

17:19 AEDT Thu Dec 31 2009
By Kym Agius
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Brisbane's Somali community gathered to mourn a young boy who drowned while trying to cross a rain-swollen creek.

The body of Salman Arte, 13, was found on Wednesday, more than 24 hours after he went missing.

He and three of his brothers got into trouble while crossing Bulimba Creek at Wishart, in Brisbane's south, on Tuesday afternoon, while trying to get to their local basketball court.

The boys were swept away in the swollen creek.

Three managed to get to the bank, but Salman did not make it.

His brothers last saw him going under, grasping on to a broken tree branch with one arm.

A funeral was held for Salman on Thursday afternoon at Holland Park Mosque, in Brisbane's southeast.

About 100 men and boys turned out to the ceremony, with many wearing traditional white dress.

United Somali Association of Queensland President Hussein Ahmed said the past two days had been very difficult for the Somali community, but the family was coping well.

"They have started the grieving process and all of the community are rallying behind them and offering them all the support necessary, emotionally and financially, whatever they can offer," Mr Ahmed told reporters outside the mosque.

Salman's father Abdirahman Arte kept a vigil by the creek during the ordeal, clinging to the hope that he would be found alive.

Salman was born in the Ifo refugee camp in Kenya after the family fled Somalia, and never had the opportunity to learn how to swim.

Mr Ahmed said the family of 12 arrived in Australia a year ago and the community was now working to raise funds for them.

After the funeral, Salman's casket was laid in front of the mosque, where the men gathered in a straight line and prayed.

Salman, who was to turn 14 on Friday, has been buried at Mt Gravatt Cemetery.

 

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