Onlookers cracked a smile through their tears, as friends and family of Fareed Arasteh and Mansour Pourjam mourned their untimely deaths at a vigil held on Wednesday. 

Carleton’s community lost Arasteh and Pourjam last week when they were killed shortly after take-off from Iran along with 176 other passengers and crew members—57 of them Canadian citizens and 138 headed to Canada. 

A couple hundred people gathered around the Tory foyer, laying down colourful flowers and signing condolences, while smiling images of Arasteh and Pourjam displayed on two monitors on opposite sides of a podium.

Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna sat on the stage with Carleton president Benoit-Antoine Bacon and those closest to Arasteh and Pourjam. 

“When I normally come to Carleton, I come to celebrate the profound achievements made by this community,” said McKenna, present at the vigil on behalf of the Canadian government. “That’s not the case today. I’m heartbroken.” 

“All of Canada is with you today.”

Throngs of attendees gathered at the Tory foyer for a vigil held in honour of Fareed Arasteh and Mansour Porurjam. [Photo by Temur Durrani]
Bacon told the audience it’s moments like these where a community comes together. “Life is short,” he said, “it can be made shorter by bad luck and malevolence.” 

“This loss has been tremendous for Carleton.” 

Friend and family members remembered Arasteh and Pourjam for the joy they brought to their lives. 

Biology professor Ashkan Golshani, who supervised Arasteh’s PhD, spoke on his behalf at the ceremony, along with Reza Samanfar, Arasteh’s roommate and friend of nine years. 

“I respect moments of silence, but for Fareed, who made so much noise in our short time with us at Carleton, I urge you all not to stay silent. Please, make some noise for Fareed,” Golshani told a crowd that erupted in applause. 

Pourjam’s 13-year-old son Ryan eloquently spoke of his dad’s positive outlook on life, as members of the audience held their chests, sobbing. 

“If I were to describe him using one word, it would be strong. He’s been through tragedy after tragedy, wall after wall, wrong turn after wrong turn. And he remained strong,” said Ryan just before his voice began to break. “He was amazing. And we loved each other.” 

Whimpering attendees mewled in response. An onlooker said, “We love you too, bro!” Another said: “Masha’Allah.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called for financial compensation for the victims’ families and a thorough investigation. 

Iran had denied its involvement in the crash for several days before admitting it “unintentionally” shot down the Ukrainian airliner on Jan. 11 by “human error,” following weeks of tensions with the U.S. 

“We need to make sure those in mourning get the justice they deserve,” Trudeau said at the University of Alberta, one of multiple vigils held across Canada since the crash.

Featured image by Temur Durrani.

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