Hundreds of mourners turn out for funeral of ‘bullied’ 12-year-old refugee girl – who drowned in a river – before gathering outside her school in emotional protest
- Shukri Yahya Abdil, 12, died after drowning in River Irwell, Bury, last Thursday
- Mourners gathered at Noor Ul Islam Mosque today as schoolgirl’s coffin arrived
- After her burial Somalian community gathered outside Broad Oak High school
- More than 20,000 people have signed petition for an investigation into bullying
Hundreds have gathered to remember a 12-year-old refugee schoolgirl who drowned in a river – before a protest broke out outside her school over claims of bullying.
Shukri Yahya Abdi, 12, who came to the UK from Somalia last year, was discovered dead in the River Irwell in Bury, Greater Manchester, last Thursday.
Today hundreds of tearful mourners stood outside the Noor Ul Islam Mosque in Bury in solidarity to watch as her coffin, adorned with white flowers, was brought to the mosque for a ceremony before being taken for burial.
Shukri’s mother, Zamzam Ture, was overcome with emotion as she gripped a family member’s hand tightly and walked out of the mosque before fainting several times.
Hundreds of mourners gathered outside Noor Ul Islam Mosque in Bury today before the burial of 12-year-old schoolgirl Shukri Abdi. Pictured centre is her mother Zamzam Ture
Shukri’s coffin was covered with white flowers as it was carried into the mosque this afternoon
The schoolgirl, pictured, who came to the UK from Somalia last year, was discovered dead in the River Irwell in Bury, Greater Manchester, last Thursday
After the burial, relatives and Somalian community members gathered outside the gates of Shukri’s school, Broad Oak High, over allegations she had been bullied in the weeks leading up to her death.
Dozens of people waving flags and banners chanted ‘we want justice’ in the youngster’s honour during the protest.
Earlier this week it was suggested by Shurki’s family that her death was not an accident.
Her mother Ms Ture said in a video on Facebook: ‘The school where my daughter was bullied… I had been complaining to forever.
After the ceremony members of the Somalian community went on a memorial walk and gathered outside Shukri’s school, Broad Oak Secondary School
Some of the protesters held signs for the schoolgirl while others chanted ‘we want justice.’ Her family had claimed that Shukri had been bullied in the weeks before her death
‘The police said [to me] your daughter died in an accident, she was playing with other kids, she died there.
‘The other kids were not wet or harmed, so it was a denial. She was denied the truth.
‘The police haven’t shown us any evidence. I have no proof of what happened,’ Ms Ture added.
Maz Saleem, who has been campaigning for a wider investigation into Shukri’s death, also took to Facebook and said: ‘It is alleged that Shukri was constantly bullied at the school and was led to the river.
Hundreds of people attended the event while dozens of others waved flags and banners
Today tearful mourners stood outside the Noor Ul Islam Mosque in solidarity as Shukri’s coffin was carried inside for a ceremony
Shukri’s mother, centre, was seen being supported by family and friends outside the mosque today
‘According to her family she couldn’t swim.’
Although Greater Manchester Police said they did not believe the schoolgirl’s death to be suspicious, more than 20,000 people signed a petition calling for an investigation into whether the school failed to properly address bullying.
Speaking last week, uncle Mustaf Omar said: ‘Shukri was a sweet, innocent child who came to this country as a refugee.
‘She was loving, caring and peaceful – everything a child could be – but that has been taken away now.
‘There were problems at school and she was getting bullied, but the police haven’t taken it as seriously as they could have – this may not have been an accident.
‘We want everyone to work together to actually understand what happened leading up to this – it is not just two friends that went out to play.’