From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Tue Oct 06 2009 - 16:49:40 EDT
Funeral Service of Martyred Fighter, Minister Saleh Meki conducted
Asmara, 6 October 2009 - The funeral Service of the martyred Fighter
Minister Saleh Meki was conducted today at the Patriots Cemetery here in the
capital in the presence of President Isaias Afwerki, Ministers, PFDJ heads,
Army commanders, Regional Administrators, religious leaders, members of the
diplomatic corps and international organizations, as well as EDF members and
tens of thousands of citizens.
The coffin of the late Minister Saleh, who was martyred on October 2 in
Massawa due to heart stroke, headed to the Patriots Cemetery from his
residence escorted by military parade and marching band, as well as
President Isaias, the bereaved family members, senior government and PFDJ
officials, Army commanders, diplomats and fellow citizens. Subsequently,
Salad Al-Jinaza prayers headed by the Eritrean Mufti, Sheik Al-Amin Osman,
were conducted. The body of the late Minister Saleh was the laid to rest in
dignity at the Patriots Cemetery.
President Isaias Afwerki laid wreath on the tomb of the martyred Minister
Salehhttp://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/funer-1.jpg Meki on behalf of
the people and Government of Eritrea, followed by the bereaved family,
veteran fighter Romodan Mohammednur, Gen. Sebhat Ephrem on behalf of the
Defense Ministhry, Mr. Hagos Gebrehiwet, Head of Economic Affairs at the
PFDJ, on behalf of the Front, Mr. Amed Haj Ali, Minister of Energy and
Mines, on behalf of the Ministry of Marine Resources, and Ms. Amna
Nurhusein, Minister of Health, on behalf of the Ministry, as well as Woizero
Saba Hailu on behalf of the President's family.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Arefaine Berhe, who was also comrade and
colleague of the late Minister Saleh Meki told ERINA after the funeral
service that the martyred Fighter Saleh maintained close ties and care for
work associates and the citizenry at large. Noting that the late Saleh Meki
was discharging national and organizational duties with dedication, Mr.
Arefaine explained that his martyrdom is a great loss.
http://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/funer-3.jpgThe late Minister Saleh,
Member of the People's Front Central Council, served the nation and the
people in various capacities with devotion since the 1980s. Also in the
post-independence period, he served as Minister of Fisheries, Minister of
Health and Minister of Marine Resources, as well as member of the Eritrean
Ministerial Cabinet until his martyrdom. The late Saleh Meki was a modest,
sociable and dedicated fighter.
He is survived by his wife and 4 children.
A Brief Biography of the Martyred Minister Saleh Seid Meki
The martyred fighter Minister Saleh was born on 12 December 1948 in Gul'ie,
Central region, from his father Mr. Seid Saleh Meki and mother Mrs. Saedia
Abdalla. He attended school up to Grade 4 at the Medeber Elementary School
and evening classes at the Principe Italian School. Following academic
classes from Grade 5 to 8 at the Islamia and Godaif schools, he completed
his 9th grade at the Prince Makonnen School in 1963 and subsequently joined
the Nursing School in Asmara where he pursued his studies from 1963 to 1967.
The late Minister Saleh served as a teacher at the Asmara Nursing School
from 1968 to 1972, and later pursued science education at the University of
Asmara where he graduated in diploma.
In 1972, he began studying at the College of Health Science in Minnesota
University, USA, where he obtained Bachelor of Science degree in 1974. He
further continued his studies in Biology at the same College during the
years 1974-1979.
The late Minister Saleh Meki also graduated in Marine Science from the State
University of California upon completion of courses from 1980 to 1982. Also
from 1980 to 1984, he worked at the renowned Moss Landing Marine Laboratory
where he undertook research studies. Since 1972, the martyred Minister Saleh
worked as an expert in anesthesia in various US hospitals for over 15 years.
In line with his active participation and organizational capacity in the
liberation struggle, he fulfilled organizational duties in various
capacities in Minnesota and California, USA, from 1972 to 1980.
During the years 1980-1984, Minister Saleh made significant contribution in
organizing Eritrean nationals in western USA, besides popularizing the just
cause of the Eritrean people's struggle for independence.
The late Comrade Saleh served as EPLF representative in western USA from
1984 up to the achievement of independence, during which he made valuable
contribution to the victory of the liberation struggle.
Cutting short his PHD courses, he returned home in 1991 and served as
Minister of Marine Resources up to 1997, and later on as Minister of Health
from 1997 to February 2009. Moreover, the late Saleh Meki served the nation
with devotion as Minister of Fisheries beginning in February 2009 until his
martyrdom. He was a modest, sociable and dedicated comrade.
The martyred fighter Saleh Meki was elected as Member of the EPLF Central
Council during the 3rd Congress of the Front which was held in 1994.
In the discharge of all the responsibilities to which he was entrusted, the
late Minister Saleh strived for the realization of the set goals. During the
12 years he served as the Minister of Health in particular, he played a
leading role in the implementation of the Government's and PFDJ's programs
aimed at ensuring the expansion of equitable and efficient health services
along with trained manpower in all parts of the country. In this respect,
Mr. Saleh's contribution together with fellow comrades and co-workers is
praiseworthy, enabling the country to win broad acclaim at the continental
and international levels as regards the development of all-round health
service in general and control of various diseases in particular.
The martyred Fighter Saleh Meki is survived by his wife and 4 children. He
was martyred on 2 October 2009 in Massawa city at the age of 62 due to heart
stroke.
The funeral service of the late Minister Saleh was conducted today, the 6th
of October, at the Patriots Cemetery in Asmara in the presence of President
Isaias Afwerki, Ministers, PFDJ heads, Army commanders and comrades, as well
as thousands of citizens, including members of the EDF and members of the
Diplomatic Corps, religious leaders and international organizations.
Expressing deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Fighter Saleh Meki, the
Government of Eritrea conveys condolences to the bereaved family.
Eternal Glory to Our Martyrs!
Victory to the Masses!
Religious leaders express condolences on the martyrdom of Minister Saleh
Meki
Asmara, 6 October 2009 - The Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo
Church, the Eritrean Mufti, Representative of the Eritrean Catholic Church
and the President of the Eritrean Evangelical Lutheran Church respectively
expressed deep sorrow on the sudden martyrdom of Fighter Saleh Meki,
Minister of Marine Resources. They also conveyed condolences to the people
and Government of Eritrea, as well as the bereaved family.
His Holiness Abune Dioskoros, 4th Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo
Church, said that the late Saleh Meki was an intelligent and dedicated
person who devoted his life in serving the nation and the people. Expressing
condolences to the people and the Government in general and the bereaved
family in particular, the Patriarch prayed that God rest his soul in peace.
Similarly, the Eritrean Mufti, Sheik Al-Amin Osman, said that the martyred
Minister Saleh lives on in the hearts of every Eritrean citizen. Noting that
he was an exemplary national who served the people and the nation with
diligence, the Mufti lauded the commendable contribution of the late Saleh
Meki.
Likewise, the Representative of the Eritrean Catholic Church, Aba
Tekleberhan Tsegai, pointed out that the martyred Minister Saleh Meki served
the people and the nation with devotion.
The President of the Eritrean Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rev. Asfaha
Mehari, on his part expressed deep sorrow on the sudden martyrdom of
Minister Saleh Meki and that the nation would remember his dedication with a
sense of pride and admiration. Rev. Asfaha further stressed the need for the
people to emulate his admirable qualities.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----
