Exchange student murdered in Melbourne is making her final journey home to Baka al-Gharbiyye, north of Tel Aviv

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

As murdered exchange student Aiia Maasarwe makes her final journey to Israel, thousands are expected to gather to welcome her home.

Relatives boarded a flight out of Melbourne on Tuesday.

A companion of her father, Saeed Maasarwe, told reporters that a selection of items left in tribute to Aiia will be taken to the family’s home at Baka al-Gharbiyye, an hour north of Tel Aviv, with plans to use them as part of a shrine.

He told reporters up to 20,000 people were expected to gather in her home town upon her arrival.

The body of Ms Maasarwe, a Palestinian Arab of Israeli citizenship, will be buried in line with her Muslim faith after a funeral in Israel on Wednesday.

Mr Maasarwe visited the spot at the northern Melbourne suburb of Bundoora where his daughter was found last Wednesday morning.

'An angel, a diamond': Aiia Maasarwe's Palestinian identity was erased after her death | Jennine Khalik Read more

The night before Ms Maasarwe had alighted a tram and was walking home after visiting a city comedy club.

Codey Herrmann, 20, has been charged with Ms Maasarwe’s rape and murder.

As she made her final journey, a small vigil was held on Tuesday night near where Ms Maasarwe was murdered, with plans to plant a memorial tree and unveil a plaque at the site.

One of Aiia’s sisters, Noor, posted on Instagram an artwork with the words “Dare to Dream”.

“She was living a dream in Melbourne, a dream that ended up being worse than a nightmare,” she wrote.

Noor had been on the phone to Aiia when she was attacked.

“Violence against women is not a women issue, it is a men issue.

“No one deserve to be treated like that.”

“A BIG thanks to the people of Australia, Baqa al Gharbiyye and people from around the world for their love, care and support. Reminding us that there are still good people in the world.”

At a Dandenong mosque on Tuesday night where hundreds of people gathered in tribute to Aiia, Mr Maasarwe made a heartfelt plea for “more peace”.

“We want to make the world more peace (sic) and more safety and more beautiful, and more smile and more forgive each other. This is the message we want to send. This is not me, but Aiia,” he told reporters.

“I wish all the people see the light and go to the light. Don’t be in the dark. And to think positive.”