Desperate plea to tragic Sarah Sharif's father after he flees UK for Pakistan
The leader of the mosque attended by “murdered” Sara Sharif’s family has urged the three relatives wanted for questioning over her death to contact police.
Hafiz Hashmi appealed to Sara’s father Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool and brother Faisal Malik to come forward, amid an international search. They are understood to have previously been amongst thousands of worshippers at Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, Surrey.
And in a heartfelt message to dad Sharif, Hafiz - the mosque’s Head Imam - urged: “As Sara’s father, if you know police investigating want to speak with you, you should speak with the police. You should cooperate with the police. The community, they want to know the truth - what is the truth of what’s happened?”
Sara's body was found at her home in Woking, Surrey (PA)Sharif, 41, Batool, 29, and 29-year-old Malik left the UK for Pakistan on August 9 with five children in tow. Taxi driver Sharif contacted police from capital city Islamabad, which led to their discovery of the 10-year-old Sara’s body at their home in Horsell, near Woking, the following day. Pakistani authorities are now working with British police to find them. Hafiz - himself a dad of three - told the Mirror: “First off, a father should not leave a child like this. We can’t believe this.
“As a father, if we care about our children we should speak with the police if [they ask us]. What is the truth? We will wait for the investigation. But, of course, as a parent, if the child is in a situation like this, we should stay in this country with our children.”
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The Imam has also reached out via police to Sara’s grieving mother Olga to offer her support. The mum, who lives in Frome, Somerset, has spoken of her heartbreak over the loss of her “beautiful” little girl.
Hafiz, 48, explained: “I contacted the police because I wanted to pay my respects to the mother. At the same time I [wanted to] assure her that I will support and help her whenever the time comes - even if this is after the investigation.
“We will continue to hold her in our prayers and thoughts. If the mother or loved ones needs any sort of support we will support them.”
While he has yet to receive a response from Olga - who is from a Catholic background - Hafiz said he has been told that the message has been passed on. It comes as Surrey Police issued a fresh appeal for anyone who knew Sara or her family that could help its investigation.
The force said it had “widened the timescale” of the murder investigation after finding Sara had suffered injuries over an extended period of time. Det Supt Mark Chapman thanked people who had already spoken to officers but urged more to come forward, adding “Any information is better than no information.”
An inquest is due to be opened on Tuesday at Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking. Surrey County Council have confirmed she was known to the authorities and police have also revealed the force had “historic” contact with the family.
Meanwhile worshippers at Shah Jahan Mosque - which is the oldest and one of the largest in the UK - are struggling to come to terms with the “shocking and very sad incident,” Hafiz said. A memorial was held there last Friday and the mosque is sharing police appeals for information on social media.
The Imam - who is also Chairman of the Surrey Muslim Association - added: “Sara is always here in our thoughts and prayers and we think of her loved ones and pray to God. Whatever we can do to support the investigation we are doing.”
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