Malika Noor Al Katib, 8, laid to rest after Wexford stabbing
ght-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib, 8, who was stabbed to death at her home in New Ross, has been laid to rest today.
Eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib, 8, who was stabbed to death at her home in New Ross, has been laid to rest.
Her burial took place at 2.30pm today in a Muslim plot in a wind-swept Kilbarry Cemetery, Waterford, with up to 100 mourners present.
Malika's body was brought to the cemetery in a poignant white coffin, which was carried in a white-carriage pulled by two white horses. Mourners, led by her mother Aisha, aged 31, and close family followed behind.
They had travelled from University Hospital Waterford where Malika's mother, an Irish-born convert to Islam, had been with her daughter for a sacred Muslim cleansing ritual
Malika's body was then brought straight to the Muslim plot, which Waterford City Council had provided to enable them carry out the burial.
Imam Rashid Munir of the Waterford Islamic Centre, carried out funeral prayers at the graveside while prayers were also led by Rashid Mumir at the Islamic Centre across the road from the cemetery.
Mailak's father Mohammad Al Shakir Al Tamimi (34) has since been charged with murder of his eight-year-old daughter, and the attempted murder of Malika’s mother, Aisha Al Kattib (31) in their home at William Street, in New Ross late on Sunday night, December 1.
He was remanded in custody to appear before Wexford District Court this Monday morning via vido link.
The violent death of the 8-year-old girl has shocked the close Muslim community in Waterford and Wexford, as well as Malika's classmates and teachers at New Ross Educate Together National School.
Imam Rashid Munir said 'Everyone is heartbroken. Mlika was so full of life. She had so many plans, religious and worldly.
'For a mother to lose a child is not easy to bear. It is natural to bury your parents, but not to bury your child, particularly in such circumstances.
'She witnessed her child being murdered in front of her eyes, it is not easy to bear with that.'
He said the community would rally around Alisha.
'She's our family and we will try and care for her. The Muslim sisters are ready to support her.'
He said the Muslim community at Waterford and Wexford numbering more than 1,200 people, are very close.
Imam Munir said Alisha and her daughter attended Waterford Islamic Centre and he knew them well.
'She had a lot of interest in Islam, good in studies and wanted to be a good part of society. The way that she has gone is so terrible.'
