A funeral was held Saturday for a 16-year-old Muslim girl who was allegedly murdered by her father in Mississauga.
Muhammad Parvez, 57, faces Second-Degree murder charges after he reportedly strangled his daughter Aqsa to death over
reported tensions about her refusal to wear a Hijab, a traditional Muslim garb. However, some close to the victim have denied the death was related to any such thing.
"This whole Hijab culture, religion, it's nothing to do with that," said friend Babithiraa Thebathasn. "It's all, like, child abuse."
Her brother Waqas Parvez
was freed on bail Friday after being charged with obstructing police in connection with the killing that allegedly took place in the family's home earlier this week. His father has yet to enter a plea and remains in police custody. He will be back in court Jan. 29.
Aqsa's service was an understandably emotional one, and was closed to the public. Hundreds who turned up to honour the girl were told the funeral had already been held at a different location, but took part in a memorial at the original site.
"It's a wake up call for us, for all Muslims, no matter which country, which cultre, which background you are," said attendee Rafiq Rokerya. "We have a serious problem from the youth perspective and also from a senior perspective."