MH17 co-pilot's widow performs husband's final task in Netherlands

Sharifah Asmaa Alwee Aljuned, wife of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 co-pilot, Ahmed Hakimi Hanapi, on Friday performed her husband's final task at the memorial service in Nieuwegein in the Netherlands.

On behalf of the MH17 crew members, a teary-eyed Sharifah Asmaa gave a heart-wrenching speech to the victims' next-of-kin who came from all over the world.

"Looking at all of you, I can't even begin to imagine the sufferings and sorrows that each of us carry.

"Do we share similar experiences in losing the loved ones? Our journey and grief can never be equated.

"Thus, I pray for all of us to have infinite strength in dealing with our sorrows yet still holding on to the hope and memories that never will be lost," she said.

Silence filled the hall as the 29-year-old performed the cabin crew salutation -- the task that her husband never had the opportunity to execute.

"Before I end my speech, I am compelled to carry out the final task of my husband that he never got to fulfill."

She then took a deep breath, and said: "Assalammualaikum and a very good evening ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, I am your first officer, my name is Ahmed Hakimi on behalf of Captain Wan Amran, and assisted by Captain Eugene and first officer Firdaus, we would like to welcome you on board once again Malaysia Airlines, Boeing 777, on flight MH17.

"Weather and route is fine all the way and we will begin our descent shortly. On behalf of Malaysia Airlines and rest of the crew, once again we would like to thank you for flying with us."

And with that, every person in the room rose to their feet and gave the mother-of-one a standing ovation.

Ahmed Hakimi, whose son Abderrahman is now 15 months old, was among 298 people killed in the passenger jet that was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

The jet was shot down in eastern Ukraine moments after it took off from Schiphol International Airport on July 17, 2014.

The memorial service in Nieuwegein was organised by the victims' families with the support of Stichting Vliegramp MH17 at the NBC Congress Center.