Manahawkin man to be buried at Arlington

Post date: Jun 01, 2012 3:16:26 PM

By DONNA WEAVER Staff Writer, (609) 978-2015

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP - Kareem Khan, a 2005 Southern Regional graduate killed last week in Baqouba, Iraq, will be laid to rest today in a private burial, according to a spokeswoman for the Arlington National Cemetery.

"The family has requested that the burial be private and no press will be allowed," said spokeswoman Phyllis White.

Khan was killed early last week when a blast destroyed a house that he was clearing with his Stryker Brigade combat team.

Three other members of Khan's team and an interpreter also were killed in the blast; 12 other soldiers were injured.

In honor of Khan, Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed an executive order Monday calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Aug. 23.

Khan enlisted in the Army immediately after graduating from Southern Regional High School in 2005. 

Last week, Feroze Khan said his son never had a negative experience in Iraq being a Muslim in the U.S. Army.

Typically, Muslim customs require people to be buried as soon after death as possible, but that 

didn't happen because Khan had to be brought back to the United States for burial. 

Most of the customs completed at an Islamic funeral will not be able to be completed because of where Khan is being buried, Feroze Khan said last week. 

Khan's family will perform traditional Islamic rites but have a complete military burial today, Feroze Khan said.

"I think that Allah will understand this time," Nisha Khan, Khan's stepmother, said last week.

To e-mail Donna Weaver at The Press:

DWeaver@pressofac.com

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/dates/2007/aug/06/kareem--khan/

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/ocean/story/7496514p-7392847c.html