A public gathering in Israel to pressure the Australian government to quickly return the body of Arab-Israeli woman Aiia Maasarwe is scheduled to begin late Saturday night.
The event is being held next to the Abu Bakr mosque, about 20 minutes from the Maasarwe family home in the Arab-Israeli city of Baqa Al Gharbiyye.
The vigil, to begin at 2.30pm local time Saturday during afternoon prayers, is expected to be attended by hundreds of people.
Traditionally in Islamic culture burial must take place as soon as possible, with specific rites including the family bathing and dressing the body.
The event is being organised by Sheikh Iskandar Khairi, the imam of the Huda mosque, and has been promoted with the phrase, “your participation is a national duty”.
Ms Maasarwe’s body remains with the Victorian Coroner, and it has not been announced when she will be returned to her family in Israel.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minster’s office on Saturday said the coroner was working as fast possible for the family, and that the office had offered any support necessary to the Victorian government to aid a speedy repatriation.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with Ms Maasarwe’s father, Saeed, on Saturday.
“The words will fail me I’m sure, as one father to another,” Mr Morrison said at an earlier press conference.
Read the article by Rachael Dexter & Gabrielle Weineger in The Age.