Hundreds pay tribute to tragic Asha

Alex Gore • Published 28 Jan 2010 15:56

MORE than 500 people said a final goodbye to Reading student Asha Muneer today (Thursday) - 11 days after she was stabbed to death.

Family, friends and well-wishers from all sections of the community went to the Rivermead Leisure Centre in Reading's Richfield Avenue, where the traditional Muslim funeral service took place.

Mourners, divided into men and women, said prayers by the 18-year-old's coffin, which was covered in flowers and a ceremonial sheet, before it was taken to Reading Cemetery in Henley Road, Caversham, for a private burial.

Speaking afterwards, Asha's uncle Saeed Iqbal described her as the community's daughter and said: "It's been absolutely terrible, nobody can understand the hell we have been through. We can't sleep, nobody can sleep. We have lost everything."

A tearful Mr Iqbal thanked the community for their support, and not just those from Pakistan where Asha's family come from. He also praised the police and warned that such a tragedy could happen to anyone.

Mr Iqbal, who is the brother of Asha's mum Nasreen, said: "She was absolutely beautiful, she was talented and did not want to hurt anybody. Somebody has taken her life for no reason and that's what all the community are concerned about. They are here for her because somebody has taken her life."

He added: "We will always remember her, we will not forget, she is not forgotten."

Wilhelmin Brown-Darkoh, the mum of Asha's best friend Danielle, who shares her memories of the Highdown sixth former in today's Chronicle, said: "Asha was such a lovely girl, she was bubbly and always smiling and we will all miss her so, so much."

Highdown headteacher Tim Royle, who drove a mini-bus full of pupils and teachers to the funeral, said: "I thought the service was very dignified, very well supported and a moving occasion. It was a huge tribute to Asha and the kind of person she was."

Former school friend Halima Aliyu added: "She would always put a smile on your face if you were feeling down. She was a really special friend."

Reading West MP Martin Salter, who also attended the funeral, described the aspiring lawyer as one of Reading's best young people and praised the way all religions had united in support of the family.

Asha's body was found with multiple stab wounds on Monday, January 18, on the Foudry Brook footpath at around 8.30pm. Asha had just finished a shift at Laura Ashley in Rose Kiln Lane, where she worked part-time, and is thought to have been on her way to meet friends at the Reading Gate branch of McDonald's.

* Gulamyr Akhter, 19, of Victoria Way, Newtown, has been charged with Asha's murder and is due to appear at Reading Crown Court on Monday.

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