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Kabul funeral for UK aid worker Kabul funeral for UK aid worker
(about 2 hours later)
The funeral of murdered British aid worker Gayle Williams has taken place in Afghanistan. The funeral of murdered British aid worker Gayle Williams has taken place in Kabul amid tight security.
Friends and family travelled to the capital Kabul for the burial of the 34-year-old, who was shot by the Taleban on 20 October. Friends and family travelled to the capital of Afghanistan for the burial of the 34-year-old, who was shot by the Taleban on 20 October.
Her sister Karen said her family forgave the killers and Gayle would have told them not to hold a grudge. Her mother Pat and sister Karen were among about 50 expatriates who gathered at Kabul's British cemetery.
It comes after another UK worker, David Giles, was shot dead outside his firm's office in Kabul. Security was tight with the area around the site closed to traffic and a heavy Afghan police presence.
He died along with a South African colleague on 25 October. Ms Williams' funeral came after the murder of a second Briton David Giles and his South African colleague Jason Bresler.
Mr Giles and his colleague were apparently shot by one of their own guards who then committed suicide. They died on 25 October when they were apparently shot by one of their own guards who then committed suicide.
The killings took place as the pair, the head and deputy head of the Afghanistan branch of international shipping company DHL, pulled up outside their office in the city centre. The funeral service for Ms Williams was a largely private affair and her coffin was carried by colleagues from the charity Serve Afghanistan.
Family and friends travelled to Kabul for the funeral of Gayle Williams Rose petals were scattered on her coffin, which was decked with flowers.
Ms Williams was buried in a private ceremony at the British Cemetry in Kabul. Family and friends travelled to Kabul for the funeral
Her coffin was carried there by British Embassy officials and colleagues from the charity Serve Afghanistan. Her grave was surrounded by flowers and pictures, and mourners sang hymns accompanied by two guitarists.
Rina Van Der Ende, a spokeswoman with the charity, said Ms Williams had been aware her job was dangerous. Psalm 84, Ms Williams' favourite, was also read during the ceremony.
She said: "It was a decision she made herself, she wrote here in her diaries if something would happen she would like to be buried in Kabul, so that is something she wanted to do, she wanted to work in Afghanistan and she wanted to be buried in Afghanistan in case something would happen." Ms Williams' family sat under a tree during the funeral, which was also attended by British Deputy Head of Mission Andrew Patrick and Vice-Consul Laurence Jenkins.
Ms Williams, who had both British and South African nationality, was described by her sister on Saturday as a woman who was "passionate" about helping Afghanistan's people. After the ceremony the charity worker's relatives accepted an invitation to visit President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace.
Operations suspended Those who spoke at the funeral declined to be named because of safety concerns.
"Gayle was a much loved sister... who gave her life serving the Afghan people she loved," she said. 'Cowardly act'
Karen added that she and her family forgave her sister's killers "as Gayle would have done". The leader of the ceremony said: "Gayle, as many here would know, was a delightful young woman who loved life, and she had that life cruelly cut short."
"Gayle was working to help little children with disabilities - some blind, some deaf, some with no limbs - including victims of the many landmines from the many wars in Afghanistan," she said. He went on: "Two armed men gunned down a young, defenceless girl. It is hard to see this as anything other than a cowardly act that brings shame on the people who carried out this murder. And it brings shame and guilt on those that inspired them to do it."
"If Gayle could talk to us now her view would not have changed. Her faith in the Afghan people would remain the same." The speaker also said Gayle's friends and family will forgive her murderers.
Pat Williams was among about 50 expats at the funeral
One of Gayle's colleagues from Serve said: "She had a positive perspective on life and through her joyfulness many heavy clouds were lifted. She was a joyful and courageous woman. We lost a dear co-worker and we loved her."
One of Gayle's friends was buried in the same cemetery three weeks ago, and she had said: "Now we have seen this cemetery, and if I die here, I know where I will be laid to rest."
Serve Afghanistan suspended its operations in the country following the killing and other aid agencies have said they are reviewing their security.Serve Afghanistan suspended its operations in the country following the killing and other aid agencies have said they are reviewing their security.
Ms Van Der Ende said: "The team of staff has to come together, have to talk together, the Afghan staff will have to give their opinion, but as far as Serve is concerned, they hope to continue their activity, but the detailed decisions will be made further during the week." Spokeswoman Rina Van Der Ende said: "The team of staff has to come together, have to talk together, the Afghan staff will have to give their opinion, but as far as Serve is concerned, they hope to continue their activity, but the detailed decisions will be made further during the week."