Vigil organized for 'shining star' Sara Sharif

Surrey Police Sara Sharif looks at the camera. She has shoulder-length brown hair and a striped play tent in the background — A vigil was held in Woking in memory of Sara Sharif

Hundreds of people attended a prayer vigil for 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was murdered by her father and stepmother.

The vigil, held in Woking, Surrey on Sunday, was aimed at remembering Sarah as a “shining star”, according to one organiser.

Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 43, and stepmother, Benash Batool, 30, were found guilty of murder After an eight-week trial at the Old Bailey.

Her uncle, 29-year-old Faisal Malik, was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child. The sentencing is expected to be handed down on Tuesday.

Candles were lit and tributes were paid to mark the occasion

Two women can be seen placing flowers at the vigil, where several candles are burning, with flowers and balloons on the ground. It is dark and fairy lights are visible on a low wall in the background — Candles were lit and tributes were paid to mark the occasion

Kawthar Hashmi, who represents the Shahjahan Mosque in Woking, told BBC Radio Surrey: “It’s heartbreaking that something like this could happen on our doorstep.”

He said emotions ran high throughout the trial and that the evening vigil, which included a two-minute silence, was particularly poignant.

Sarah was stripped, burned and beaten during a campaign of abuse before her body was found with dozens of injuries at the family home last year.

been there Asked for answers from Prime Minister Sir Keir StarmerAnd Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said Sarah’s murder exposed “serious weaknesses in our child protection system”.

Ms Hashmi said: “No child should have to suffer in silence like Sarah.”

Sara Sharif is wearing a star costume and is smiling looking at the camera. There is a Rudolph display on the wall in the background — The community gathered to remember Sara

Woking MP Will Forster said hundreds of people were under surveillance, adding that the focus at first was on testing and what should happen next.

He said, “Tonight was about a 10-year-old girl who had her life taken away and it was completely focused on that.

“I think that’s completely right and very inspiring.”

Ikram, one of the vigil organisers, said: “As a community we are feeling very helpless, just wanting to come together and think about the shining star for that beautiful little girl Sarah, and that is, And may she remain, shining forever.”