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Arfa Karim: Pakistan buries a shining example for the nation’s youth
Arfa’s father remembers his daughter’s meeting with Bill Gates.
People shift Arfa’s coffin from Cavalry Ground in Lahore. Her body was then shifted to Faisalabad, her native town, for burial. PHOTO: PPI
FAISALABAD: Arfa Karim, the world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional, was laid to rest in her ancestral village Ramdewali, near Faisalabad, amid tears from family, friends and strangers.
Even the heavens opened, as a light drizzle fell during the funeral procession.
The flag-draped coffin had been taken to Faisalabad from Lahore, where, despite the cold, a large number of people from all walks of life gathered to mourn. The turnout was reflective of how Arfa’s story has brought the nation together in grief for her death and admiration for her brilliance, as it included IT students, public representatives, social and religious activists, NGO workers, military officers and government officials.
Hundreds of female students also thronged the funeral on the arrival of the dead body.
Qari Ashraf, who led the funeral prayer, said that “Arfa was not only extraordinarily brilliant in Information Technology but was also very fond of Hamd, Naat and Allama Iqbal’s poetry.”
Arfa’s father, Colonel (Retd) Amjad Karim Randhawa, told the media his daughter “was a gift of God to me and now He has taken it back.”
“I am proud of being the only person in the world whose daughter was recognised as the youngest Microsoft professional certificate holder at the age of just nine years,” he said. “We provided every possible opportunity and encouragement to develop her abilities.”
Describing his daughter as wise beyond her years, Randhawa lamented that “we could not see her genius flourish.”
Recalling Arfa’s meeting with Bill Gates, Randhawa said that the Microsoft founder was stunned to see Arfa promptly answering all his technical questions. Gates acknowledged Arfa’s qualities and his company contacted her family when she was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Lahore for treatment.
“Microsoft’s doctors were in touch with the CMH doctors and provided assistance in diagnosis, prescriptions and treatment for Arfa,” Randhawa said.
Randhawa fondly highlighted his daughter’s qualities, saying that she always had positive approach towards everything. “She had a creative mind and always wanted to do something extraordinary far beyond her age,” he said. “Arfa always surprised her teachers and class fellows with her intelligence and thought-provoking questions.”
A local resident of the village, Noor Din, said that although Arfa had not spent much time in the area, she lived as if she had been here for a very long time. “My daughter had always desired and insisted upon meeting Arfa, but sadly I failed to do so and now I can never do it,” he said.
Another villager, Ghulam Qadir, admitted that he had never seen such a huge funeral procession.
Muhammad Akram, a close relative, said that Arfa always wanted the area’s IT lab to be upgraded so it could provide better educational facilities to local youngsters, especially girls.
Asking the government to honour the IT genius’ wishes, Akram said that Arfa believed that other girls in her village should be given educational opportunities – as they had so much talent.
Arfa went into a coma on December 22 after suffering an epileptic attack. She was undergoing medical treatment in Combined Military Hospital. Karim, who was on life support at the Intensive Care Unit at the CMH suffered a complication on Saturday evening whereby she was shifted to surgery in emergency.
Meanwhile, at least one permanent monument to Arfa will stand.
Sindh Information Technology Minister Raza Haroon has announced that the IT Media City in Karachi will be renamed after Arfa. The project will now be known as Arfa Karim IT Media City, Karachi.
(With additional reporting from Rana Yasif in Lahore)
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2012.
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Reader Comments (95)
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In a country riddled by madmen and their blowing up tactics, she was a ray of intellectual hope. Her loss makes me extremely sad and more terrified about the future of Pakistan.
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Grave lose to the nation………….another genius is laying to rest just 30km north on the same road as Ramdewali is located.
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@Zeffos: Grow up …. even on news like this you are passing negative comments especially about a country which has produced the best in many fields in spite of many global gamers who are trying to destabilize us and also our own people who have self interests and think negative ……ARFA (May ALLAH Bless her) is an example out of many.
Al ham dulilah ..I happened to have the opportunity to say her Namaz e Jenaza….Having seen her coffin wrapped in the National flag was a feeling of pride …. and a feeling of BRIGHT future for ARFA’s Motherland……Pakistan. This is not an emotionally based statement it is based on logic and belief.
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“I really have no words sorry……..”
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Great loss for pakistan.she was brilliant but creative too.pakistan will miss her.
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MCP Arfa Karim Randhawa passes away in Lahore hospital
MCP Arfa Karim Randhawa Expired Video
http://www.columnpk.com/mcp-arfa-karim-randhawa-death-video/
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Today evening I have watched the repeat telecast of Arfa Karim’s Geo TV Program “Aik Don Geo Kay Sath”.
Her father and mother were told to the interviewer that Arfa right from her childhood was an extra ordinary genius child.
I would request the government to set up a commission to inquire the reasons of the death of Arfa Karim Randhawa, as she was the country’s asset.
The nation should know right from the day when she first fell ill until her tragic death as what were the reasons that Araf Karim died, when before her illness, she was a normal girl.
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It is a very sad day for all of us.
She was a real genius no doubt and also she was a gift of GOD.
As an IT student I was her fan and also respected her and will be.
I have never seen her or talked to her but I always tought that one day i must met her and tell her that i am a big fan of her but now I can never do this.
Allaha tala Arfa karim ki sabhi choti aur badi gunaho ko maaf kare or Arka ko jaanat-ul-firdous me jagah aata kare. aamen.
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arifa was the great source of inspiration to me .when arifa recognized herself as the micro soft certified youngest professional ,i was student of b.sc.i learnt many things from arifa i.e excellent confidence, great devotion and courage.i can,t forget the memories of arifa ,his provoking style for
new generation and his lovely talking style .now i am teacher and i feel that i have lost my asset
of arifa as the brilliant student of pakistanRecommend
No Comments
But
Agreed With Mohammad Ali Siddiqui
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It is very bad for us and Pakistan.
Arfa Kareem, we all will miss you a lot, You were asset of Pakistan.
Government of Pakistan should make a commission to identify the death reasons of Arfa Kareem
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Arfa Kareem we all will really miss you
and Pakistan really lost a great person the actual future of pakistan
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Arifa Karim is a major loss for us, she is a role model for the youngsters i think she made a history by which we will encourage our next generation. may GOD Bless her and rest her soul in peace.. pray for her sorry but pray for the Daughter of Pakistan…..Salam-e-Akhir Dukhtar-e-Pakistan
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May GOD blessed hir!
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that was glooming dimond of pakistan which we loose may her soul rest in piece
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pata nhi jab khabi pak main kuch acha karne wala paida hota hai najane us ko kis ki nazar lag jati hai. dedicated to all pakistani pplq thansRecommend
unfortunately Such extraordinary person have short time, may Allah bless her and rest her soul in peace
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im am very hart.
she was very loyely and bater girl.
I Love arfa.
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“Arfa always surprised her teachers and class fellows with her intelligence and thought provoking arfa karim did not know, that her brain was under stress, it was her passion, she worked without rest and lost her life early,,her brain iq had gone very fast. and un cheked
human brain is very complex machine, it also need rest with intervals
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I never explained how much I am sad and tears comes in my eyes as I hear her death news on Geo Tv. With tears I just Say She Was A gift Of God for her Family And Pakistan, May Allah Give Saber To her family, (Unbearable Shock) but pak Govt Nothing Do special For her, We Lost A great Daughter/sister of The nation.May Allah give Her place In Junnah(Ameem)Recommend
BIsmillha irakhma niraheem….
i just want to say god rest u in peace beti of pakistan u was a true gem and credit to pakistan…we ate proud of ur achievments at such a tender age truly remarkable genius…may ur legacy live on..and may god give subarh to ur loved ones…u will be missed rest in peace ameen..xxxx
love from a mother..i feel the pain ur parents are going through..;-(
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may allah rest her soul in peace
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Its a great grief for us and the entire nation feels the heart wrenching pain of her loss. Now the best way to honor her memory is to carry on her dream, her sense of passion for what she did and her love for technology.
WE CANNOT BRING HER BACK BUT SHE CAN LIVE THROUGH HOUR DETERMINATION.
REST IN PEACE CHILD. MAY ALLAH BLESS YOUR SOUL
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Arifa karim was realy a precious diamond of pakistan & we r feeling vry vry vry sad that pakistan has lost this diamond. We will alwayz mis u preety Arifa..
May God bless her & give cool place in heaven..
(Aamin)Recommend
She was a God gifted brilliant IT student no doubt.But sad,she is no more with us.
May Allah rest her soul in peace.(Aameen)
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we lose brilient & rising moon.whole nation is sorrow for arfa.
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She was a God gifted brilliant IT student no doubt.But sad,she is no longer with us.
May Allah rest her soul in peace.
“AAMEEN”
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i have no words for arfa karim.she was treasure of whole pakistani nation.
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She is no more… :’(
Pakistan lost its precious Gift By Allah…
We lost our little princess and nt even nation is sad
But even sky is crying till now..,,
Now we can only pray for her…
May her soul rest in peace..!!
[]__AMEEN__[]
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Uff ALLLAh! i can’t stop my tears. May her soul rest in peace..!!
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Arfa Karim v slute U! May Allah give u place in jannat ameen!
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Arfa Karim we slaute u! May Allah give u place in jannat!
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“Arfa Karim” a symbol of proud for the Pakistani nation. May her soul rest in peace. Ameen
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Arfa gave us messege that pakistan childs will do everything inshallah may allah give u best place in heaven.
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Arfa was a gift of God to her parents,but above all to Pakistan!!!!The country as a whole will always miss you DEAR ARFA!!!! You have left all of us in a state of deep sorrow……keep smiling as you always did in seventh heaven.
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Great sorrow not for her family but whole the country Pakistan.May allaha give place in jannat!
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The parents have lost a part of them and the nation a part of its bright future. May Allah SWT grant Arfa the highest place in jannah and give strength to the parents to cope with this colossal loss. I pray that loss inspires many more in Pakistan to follow in Arfa’s footsteps so that future generations remember this little genius forever. (Ameen)
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Arfa we will never forget you. Writing these word with tears.You are daughter of Pakistan. you will live in our heart forever. GOD bless you and give sabar for your great parents.
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arfa was a great sister of pakistani’s and i proude of arfa
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Inalillahi WainaIllehi Rojihuna…
May Allah SAW grant her Aljanna.
AMIN.
I feel sorri for pakistan and the whole World in general.Recommend
Sorry to hear this sad news.
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*may Allah peace be upon here and set her soul best in Jannat,may Allah give the power and ability to her parents to deal the situation with Sabr * she is an everlasting proud of the nation we all are with here parents.
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just imagine how sky would be without stars so is this world without such stars? hats off to you Arfa karim…
Couldnt believe this sad demise for first few minutes as its very difficult to accept such changes in life:(
May her soul rest in peace
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Miss Arfa!
No doubt, you are not with us now but you are a proud of The Pakistan.
May “Allah Almighty” bless you and give you a place in the “Jannat-ul-Firdoss”.
Aameen……..!
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I don’t want to sound alarmist… BUT Some countries have been killing geniuses and scientists of other countries.
.
.
We should have a detailed inquiry. She was normal.. what were the causes??
?
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I dnt know abt her….but my fb frnd and by reading u r comments…..i know how genius was she….may Allah give her jannatRecommend
Rest in peace arfa may u get a place in janaah firdosRecommend
So sad today , Seems Like I Lost my own daughter . Pride of Pakistan , May your soul rest in peace .
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OUR RAY OF HOPE
It was on that awful cold winters day,
God took you home to heaven to stay
But alas, I have come to learn
It was Him calling, it was your turn.
For God was missing an Angel so He chose you,
Best Darling Angel we ever knew.’
We understand it just had to be
God has taken you to heaven and now you are free free free.
Free from Pain,
Free to run, free to dance and play again.
We really are missing you
We miss all the things you do.
But we understand
You are there in his precious hand.
Go now OUR sweet one, dearest ARFA
We are thinking of you in every way.
We all hated to see you go
But alas you must rest so.
Into Gods hands we place the very best,
Rest now sweet ARFA and twice be blessed
You brought the world much happiness.
Till we meet again
we will think of you often.
On that you can depend,
You were Nation’s very special angel, daughter, granddaughter, niece, sister, friend.
We understood you were only on loan,
Now dearest ARFA you are home.
In the somber light of the waning moon
God took you home way too soon
It’s losing you we regret,
God had His plans for you already set.
( amended , originally by Shirley Mercier)
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may allah soul her with peace .she was the genious girl of pakistan
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we are proud of Arifa Karim Randhwa. May her soul rest in peace .
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we are proud of Arifa Karim may her soul rest in peace
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No words…. feeling lot of pain… MAY GOD Bless her with the success of the day of judgment and enter her into the Janna with more Blessings.
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very very sad news for everyone. we need extraordinary people everywhere in the world. I hope Pakistan’s youth and parents will think of her as a role model and educate their daughters and sons. May Allah grant her highest place in heaven and give her parents patience to bear this great loss.
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RIP!
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Rest in Peace, Little Angel…..
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She was Brilliant IT student No doubt.May Allah rest her soul in peace.(Aameen).But sad,she was born in Pakistan, here is no future I.T lot youngest person work Govt.of Sindh Sector is no future I.T in Pakistan.e.g B.E MCS, M.Sc.BCS, BSc Computer Science. perfect evidence is Singh High Court Karachi. C.P. No.1846/2009. No Promotion No up-gradation.
I.T in Pakistan is Allah Hafaz.
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aww my gud
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I am very sad to hear this news that arfa is no more…… Writing these words with tears… I feel that my own daughter has passed away …may her soul rest in heaven(ameen)…i appeal the chief justice of pakistan jnab ch. Iftakhar to set up an inquirey commission for the cause of arfa’s death….she was a normal girl nd our governmint has done nothing for her disease…Recommend
So sad on this loss. May her soul rest in peace and i pray that Allah gives paitence to her faimly.
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Zeffos……we love our country and the present environment has been created by others to blow us up. We are the only Muslim country which is a neaclear power. We stand united and fall united. Arfa was a unique example wherein she was preparing a software for NASA upon their request. May Allah rest her soul in peace …….and simultaneously give yor strength to bear us.
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@Dr R Alam: Excellent sir, Excellent
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i have no words for arfa karim
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Great loss for pakistan.she was brilliant but creative too.pakistan will miss her.Recommend
I only heard about Arfa yesterday and she made me proud being a Pakistani but at the same time felt equally grieved of her death.
May Allah rest her soul in peace.
Being MCSE I know its really hard to grasp all those technical bits and its really unbelievable how she passed her first stage (MCP) just at 9, wow.
I think there should be a Goverment website which should lists all these achievements by our upcoming young talent. Unfortunately we dont get to hear many!
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May Allah bless her soul….ameen
May Allah bless the rest of the nation to WALK THE WAY as Arfa has shown us.
God’s way of guidance is exactly like this. He inspires us through someone to let us know how to walk the way of life.
Dont just cry, learn what God has taught us through her. Or may be as our history is, let this light get lost and then sit in the dark crying…..like idiots
May Allah bless her and may He bless us with the right way to live, strive and do the best as we can in life…. Ameen
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Arfa Karim was pride of nation.She has passed but left a massage for youngsters of Pakistan
who to get success.She is symbol of success.
I am feeling proud to be Pakistani to apart the country of Arfa Karim.
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May Allah bless your soul lil angle :(
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Sindh Information Technology Minister Raza Haroon has announced that the IT Media City in Karachi will be renamed after Arfa. The project will now be known as Arfa Karim IT Media City, Karachi.
–>Nice to read this, May Almighty rest her soul in peace.
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ALLAH PAK pakistan ki is bachi ko janat main aala muqam atta farmay aameen
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@Obaid:
arfa allah apko jannat mein rehny ki tofeek ata farmay ameen
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she is a great lost for pak. i cant believe that she is no more
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may she go in jannat.she was a smart girl who made her country more popular. i loved her alot.
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Dear IRFA KARIM
It is very painful to us that you have gone from this world. If you could see than you see that the people your country are very sad that you are not among us. there are many teers in my when i am looking your cute pictures.
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matics,[email protected]
she was realy very sweet
but what ever Allah gave her,was enough………….
so in very little age,she done her all the work,which she could do in her further life……..
so frm this we got that she had completed her all the wors
NOW
she had need of rest………………………
GOD BLESS HER
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she was a gifted child undoubtedly,i am still in a shock, if Arfa lives for some more years she must create another history like before…but alas…,above all,her innocence and the beauty of her face reflects the purity of her soul..may ALLAH rest her in heaven.ameen”.Arfa” look how much we have started loving u afer knowing u sweety.
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Arfa Baita
You are an irrecoverable loss of an unlucky nation, you were the real pride of Pakistan and in fact you were the heart of Pakistan.
It is true that nice peoples depart early.
But your departure shocked & paralyzed the whole nation Arfa Baita.
We all will miss you forever Arfa baita.
You made us so proud and left us so early ……….
i am unable to write more…………………………………
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un
May Allah’s blessing be with you.
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i dont know who she was but i respect excellence and i …………… i promise that i would turn her dream into reality………..Recommend
i promise that i would turn her dream into reality
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For My Daughter
By Weldon Kees
Looking into my daughter’s eyes I read
Beneath the innocence of morning flesh
Concealed, hintings of death she does not heed.
Coldest of winds have blown this hair, and mesh
Of seaweed snarled these miniatures of hands;
The night’s slow poison, tolerant and bland,
Has moved her blood. Parched years that I have seen
That may be hers appear: foul, lingering
Death in certain war, the slim legs green.
Or, fed on hate, she relishes the sting
Of others’ agony; perhaps the cruel
Bride of a syphilitic or a fool.
These speculations sour in the sun.
I have no daughter. I desire none.
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So very sad today , Seems Like I Lost my own daughter . Pride of Pakistan , I MISS tou arfa
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afrfa i slute…arfa jaisi sadiyo baad paida hoti hain..muje is baat ka boht dukh ha.k hamara fakhr hum say rooth gya..allah arfa ko janut ul firdos ma jaga ataa kare…ameeen
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Arfa Allah give a place in heaven.
pakistan was an honor
we can never farget arfa i miss you.
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great loss for pakistan.she was brillint but creative too.pakistan will miss her.
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ya Allah Arfa karim ko jannit nasib kary or pakistan ma os ka name ocha raha
,,,,,,,,,;AMMIN.,,,,,,,,,,
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i believe that this girl was not mentally normal. no normal person can understand IT concepts at the age of 9 and then pass a high-level certification. someone must do some serious research.
why would a girl of 16 have such mental and heart complexities otherwise. She was not normal….i think being a knowledgeable scientific person.
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Arfa Karim v slute U! May Allah give u place in jannat ameen!
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may her soul rest in peace (ameen)
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Arifa, I did not know you but I feel like a piece of my heart has been taking and is missing. I wonder why the good ones go way before their time and the bad ones get to stay. After all the reading about you that I have done you were truly a gift from GOD. Your mom and dad I know are very proud. May GOD give them piece at this difficult time. I guess GOD needed you in HEAVEN for you to teach everyone but I know we will all be together again someday. May GOD bless you and your family. This is not only a big loss for your country Pakistan but also for the U. S. and all over the world to have lost a very beautiful and smart girl.
May GOD be with you,
Albert
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dear Arfa i really miss u you r inspiration for me i m yr big fan of u i reallyy misss u my frnd
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I realy miss arfa,I say that this is a big loss for pakistan.and I have abad luck that I was not meat her.we pray for her family.and we pray for her that god give him a place in heaven.and we loss a great blessings of god.
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God Bless her……May her soul rest in peace.
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Arfa, you were 16 when you passed away but in such a short time on earth you made a name for yourself.
Allah Giveth and Allah Taketh away. I am happy that I came to know of you because
A lily of a day,
is fairer far in May,
Although it droop
and die that night,
It was the plant
and flower of light.
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures, life may perfect be.
Ben Jonson’s words are apt here.
Rest in peace and may God grant your loved ones the strength to bear your passing away to a better world. Love………..always.
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May Allah bless upon her & live in heaven our all prayers with our sister Arfa
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ARFA KARIM you are fabulous we always miss you may your soul rest in peace
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