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Kabul funeral for UK aid worker Kabul funeral for UK aid worker
(10 minutes later)
The funeral of murdered British aid worker Gayle Williams has taken place in Kabul amid tight security.The funeral of murdered British aid worker Gayle Williams has taken place in Kabul amid tight security.
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. Friends and family travelled to the Afghanistan capital for burial of the 34-year-old, who was shot by the Taleban on 20 October.
Her mother Pat and sister Karen were among about 50 expatriates who gathered at Kabul's British cemetery.Her mother Pat and sister Karen were among about 50 expatriates who gathered at Kabul's British cemetery.
Security was tight with the area around the site closed to traffic and a heavy Afghan police presence.Security was tight with the area around the site closed to traffic and a heavy Afghan police presence.
The Taleban said they shot Ms Williams because she was spreading Christianity through her work for UK-based Serve Afghanistan.
Ms Williams' funeral came after the murder of a second Briton David Giles and his South African colleague Jason Bresler.Ms Williams' funeral came after the murder of a second Briton David Giles and his South African colleague Jason Bresler.
They died on 25 October when they 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 funeral service for Ms Williams was a largely private affair and her coffin was carried by colleagues from the charity Serve Afghanistan. The funeral service for Ms Williams was a largely private affair and her coffin was carried by colleagues from her charity.
Rose petals were scattered on her coffin, which was decked with flowers.
Family and friends travelled to Kabul for the funeralFamily and friends travelled to Kabul for the funeral
Her grave was surrounded by flowers and pictures, and mourners sang hymns accompanied by two guitarists. Rose petals were scattered on her coffin, her grave was surrounded by flowers and pictures, and mourners sang hymns accompanied by two guitarists.
Psalm 84, Ms Williams' favourite, was also read during the ceremony.Psalm 84, Ms Williams' favourite, was also read during the ceremony.
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' 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.
After the ceremony the charity worker's relatives accepted an invitation to visit President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace.After the ceremony the charity worker's relatives accepted an invitation to visit President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace.
Those who spoke at the funeral declined to be named because of safety concerns.Those who spoke at the funeral declined to be named because of safety concerns.
'Cowardly act''Cowardly act'
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."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."
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."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."
The speaker also said Gayle's friends and family will forgive her murderers.The speaker also said Gayle's friends and family will forgive her murderers.
Pat Williams was among about 50 expats at the funeralPat 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 colleagues from Serve Afghanistan 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." One of Gayle's friends was buried in the same cemetery three weeks ago, and she had said then: "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.
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."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."