Aya Masarwe's sister posts confronting message about slain 21-year-old
The sister of slain Israeli student Aya Maasarwe has called out violence against women in an emotional post to her Instagram page.
Aya’s body was found by passers-by near a tram stop in Melbourne early on Wednesday, hours after the 21-year-old was attacked on her way home.
Noor Massarwa posted a photo of her sister online, saying that Aya had always had ‘big dreams’.
“She was living a dream in Melbourne, a dream that ended up being worst [sic] than a nightmare.
“Violence against women is not a women issue, it is a men issue,” she wrote.
“We tell women if they feel unsafe to make a call so that they can feel safe, but Aiia was on the phone with my sister Ruba when all that happen [sic].
“BUT what do we tell men to do?
“Do we tell them how to behave?
“We tell them nothing! That’s what we tell them.
“BUT when [sic] NEED to tell them something from now!”
The powerful post led to messages of sympathy and condolences from members of the public.
“My most sincere respect to you and your family,” one person wrote. “Your words and actions are dignified and honourable, you and your family are people to be proud of, truly wonderful spirits, your sister is a loss to us all.”
Another wrote: “I’m extremely sorry about your loss. My condolences go to you and everybody who knew her. Women have every right to feel safe and the violence towards women needs to stop. May she rest easy.”
Aya remembered in emotional vigil as she prepares to return home
Aya’s death shocked Australians and sparked a huge outpouring of grief that saw thousands attend gatherings in her memory, and raised questions about the safety of women on public streets.
Codey Herrmann, a 20-year-old homeless man, was charged with her rape and murder and remanded in custody pending another hearing on June 7.
Aya’s father Saeed Masarwe, who flew to Melbourne after news of his daughter’s death, said he was “very surprised” and comforted by the outpouring of support, and called for more forgiveness.
“This is the message we want to send, we want to make the world more peace and more safety, and more beautiful, and more smile; and more forgive each other,” a tearful Masarwe told reporters late Monday.
“It’s not from me, this is Aya. I talk in my voice, but this is Aya’s mind,” he said, adding that he wished people would “see the light in the dark… and not be in the dark”.
Mr Masarwe – who has asked local media to spell his daughter’s name as “Aya” instead of “Aiia” as stated in her passport to reflect that she is a Palestinian of Israeli citizenship – is set to return to Israel with her body.
Her family invited the public to a Muslim ceremony for Aya Masarwe at a Melbourne mosque late Monday to thank them for their support and love.
Details of the attack have been withheld from the public by the court at the request of prosecutors as Masarwe’s family have yet to be told, amid reports of the graphic nature of the information.
with AFP