A feast, initially planned to celebrate the marriage of Lance Corporal Mohd Azuan Abdullah and his fiance, Nur Faizah Muhammad Rejab, today instead turned into a 'tahlil' prayer session for th policeman who was killed by criminals on May 26.

The feast was held at Nur Faizah's family home in Kampung Batas Paid, Jalan Kuala Kedah in Alor Setar. It was attended by more than 1,200 guests.

The family members of the deceased also came all the way from Johor.

Nur Faizah's father, Muhammad Rejab Che Man, 61, said the family decided to proceed with the "kenduri" (feast), but turned it into a prayer session for the late Mohd Azuan, instead.

"I regard the deceased like my own son and hope the ties that have been nurtured between my family and his will continue, " he said when met at his house here.

Mohd Azuan, 25, a member of the Kerian district police headquarters' Motorcycle Patrol Unit, was killed last May 26 after a car belonging to robbers rammed a motorcycle he and a colleague were on at Jalan Bagan Serai-Alor Pongsu in Perak.

The incident occurred at the 10th Mile towards Alor Pongsu, near Parit Buntar, when both policemen were after robbery suspects in a car before another car rammed into their motorcycle from the back.

Hantaran extended

Mohd Azuan's brother, Mohd Aizam, 29, said his mother, Afidah Ehsan, 52, decided to attend the feast today to honour the invitation extended by Nur Faizah's family.

"We also came to present the marriage gifts (hantaran) from my late brother to his fiancee," he added.

Although Mohd Azuan's sudden death shocked them, Mohd Aizam said the family had accepted it as fated.

However, he said, it was the family's hope that those responsible for Mohd Azuan's death be brought to justice soon.

Meanwhile, Nur Faizah said she prayed for Mohd Azuan and hoped he would rest in peace.

"Today was supposed to be a special day for us. I surrender to God's will and have been able to accept his passing," she added.

- Bernama