Hundreds gathered at a vigil for 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was brutally murdered by her father and stepmother, lighting candles and sharing tears for the young girl who was described as a "shining star" within the community. The heartfelt event took place on Sunday evening at the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, Surrey, reflecting the community's shock and sorrow following the guilty verdicts delivered against her father, Urfan Sharif, 43, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, 30.
Sara's tragic story took center stage as Urfan and Beinash were found guilty of her murder after eight weeks of harrowing testimony at the Old Bailey. Sara's uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was also convicted for causing or allowing her death.
Speaking at the vigil, Kawther Hashmi, representing the Shah Jahan Mosque, expressed the heartbreak felt by many: "It's just heartbreaking to think something like this could happen on our doorstep." The vigil included poignant moments, such as a two-minute silence, as attendees remembered Sara for the innocent child she was.
At the heart of this tragedy is the horrific abuse Sara endured prior to her death. A post-mortem examination revealed she suffered over 100 injuries, including more than 25 broken bones and burns. Prosecutors indicated her suffering at the hands of those who were supposed to care for her may have lasted for years, with accounts of violent punishment alarming even the most hardened of jurors.
On August 8, 2023, Sara was discovered lifeless at her home, following her father’s call to police from Pakistan, where he was attempting to flee with his family. He left behind harrowing notes claiming he had "lost it," confessing to having beaten his daughter "too much." This confession was chilling, especially considering the many accounts of physical and emotional cruelty faced by Sara.
The abuse unfolded over time, with testimony indicating it included beatings with blunt objects, binding her, and other extreme forms of punishment. Aureila Clark from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated, "None of us can ever truly comprehend how appalling and brutal Sara’s treatment was during her last weeks alive."
The societal outrage surrounding Sara’s murder has been amplified by revelations concerning the failures of the child protection system. Critics point out how social services repeatedly failed to intervene, even after receiving multiple warnings about Sara's well-being. Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza emphatically stated, "There can be no doubt, Sara was failed... by the safety net of services around her."
It has been revealed Sara's father had gained custody of her amid allegations concerning earlier abusive behavior and was known to social services for years. Reports indicated Sara had showed up at school wearing hijabs to hide bruising and was removed from school just months before her death, with no follow-up from authorities.
Following the horrific news of her death, there have been renewed calls from families and children's advocates demanding reform of child protection laws, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledging to revisit regulations surrounding homeschooled children.
The outpouring of grief from the community at Sara's vigil was undeniable, with one of the organizers, Ikram, sharing, "We felt very helpless, wanting to come together and think of the shining star Sara, for the beautiful little girl she was." This sentiment resonates deeply within the community, reflecting the sorrow over lost potential.
On the procedural front, sentencing for Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool is slated for September 19, 2023, after the jury deliberated for over nine hours. It is expected to be one of the most significant outcomes reflecting societal values on parenting, safety, and the protection of children.
Sara's mother, Olga Sharif, conveyed her grief through poignant words, stating, "My dear Sara... she was taken too soon... we miss her very much. Love you Princess." With the cases of child abuse continuing to make headlines, advocates stress the importance of learning from these tragedies and striving to protect vulnerable children from severe neglect and violence.
While the path forward still holds questions, the community surrounding Sara Sharif remains resolute to not let her memory fade. They pledge to honor the young girl's life through continued advocacy for change and awareness surrounding child protection, ensuring no other child suffers as Sara did.
