Aiia Maasarwe’s coffin carried through Israel as devastated family, friends swarm ahead of funeral 

Aiia Maasarwe’s coffin is carried through her home town in Israel as devastated relatives, friends and hundreds of mourners pack the streets ahead of her funeral

  • Family and friends of murdered student Aiia Maasarwe remain mired in grief ahead of the 21-year-old’s funeral
  • Aiia’s body was returned to her hometown of Baqa Al-Gharbiyye, northern Israel, ahead of the ceremony
  • Family, friends and the local community have gathered in droves to pay their respects for the young girl 

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Family and friends of murdered Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe remain mired in grief ahead of the 21-year-old’s funeral.

Ms Maasarewe’s body was returned to her hometown of Baqa Al-Gharbiyye, northern Israel, ahead of the ceremony on Wednesday afternoon local time.

Mourners and well-wishers were seen gathering near the sandstone walls of Aiia’s old school while relatives cried in solidarity in the family’s home.

The student was killed in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Bundoora last week when she was on her way back to her student accommodation. She had only been living in the city for six months after moving from Shanghai. 

Ms Maasarwe’s sudden and tragic death shocked her tight-knit community, a densely populated area of about 30,000 people.

Her coffin will be carried to the local mosque, where prayers will be held for her and her family. As many as 20,000 people are expected to attend.

 

Family and friends of murdered Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe remain mired in grief ahead of the 21-year-old’s funeral

Ms Maasarewe's body was returned to her hometown of Baqa Al-Gharbiyye, northern Israel, ahead of the ceremony on Wednesday afternoon local time

Ms Maasarewe’s body was returned to her hometown of Baqa Al-Gharbiyye, northern Israel, ahead of the ceremony on Wednesday afternoon local time

Mourners and well-wishers were seen gathering near the sandstone walls of Aiia's old school while relatives cried in solidarity in the family's home

Mourners and well-wishers were seen gathering near the sandstone walls of Aiia’s old school while relatives cried in solidarity in the family’s home

Ms Maasarwe's sudden and tragic death shocked her tight-knit community, a densely populated area of about 30,000 people

Ms Maasarwe’s sudden and tragic death shocked her tight-knit community, a densely populated area of about 30,000 people

The student was killed in Melbourne's northern suburb of Bundoora last week when she was on her way back home

The student was killed in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Bundoora last week when she was on her way back home

Near the family's front gate, relatives and neighbours had hung signs in Arabic saying 'Stop picking our flowers'

Near the family’s front gate, relatives and neighbours had hung signs in Arabic saying ‘Stop picking our flowers’

Aiia's funeral is planned for Wednesday afternoon local time in Israel. Pictured is a woman waiting in front of the family home

Aiia’s funeral is planned for Wednesday afternoon local time in Israel. Pictured is a woman waiting in front of the family home

Teenagers carry a banner through streets of Baqa al-Gharbiya thanking the Australian Arabic Community for their solidarity

Teenagers carry a banner through streets of Baqa al-Gharbiya thanking the Australian Arabic Community for their solidarity

Thousands of mourners took to the streets of Baqa al-Gharbiya ahead of Aiia's funeral, which is being held on Wednesday

Thousands of mourners took to the streets of Baqa al-Gharbiya ahead of Aiia’s funeral, which is being held on Wednesday

Mourners cry as the coffin carrying Arab-Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe is marched through the streets of northern Israel

Mourners cry as the coffin carrying Arab-Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe is marched through the streets of northern Israel

Teenagers hold banners with Arabic writing. The banner on the right reads: 'Killing the dream, killing education, killing ambition, killing humanity'

Teenagers hold banners with Arabic writing. The banner on the right reads: ‘Killing the dream, killing education, killing ambition, killing humanity’

Women cry during the funeral for Aiia Maasarwe. About 20,000 people are estimated to attend the ceremony on Wednesday

Women cry during the funeral for Aiia Maasarwe. About 20,000 people are estimated to attend the ceremony on Wednesday

The young woman's death has devastated the tight-knit community of about 30,000 people

The young woman’s death has devastated the tight-knit community of about 30,000 people

Municipal offices were closed on Wednesday in Baqa El Gharbiye to allow locals to attend the funeral and pay their respects

Municipal offices were closed on Wednesday in Baqa El Gharbiye to allow locals to attend the funeral and pay their respects

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