Murdered Melbourne toddler Sanaya Sahib was farewelled at a public funeral service, one week after she was reported missing.
Sanaya Sahib's father, Sameer Sahbib carried his daughter in a tiny wooden the coffin that he built.
The
14-month-old's body was found in the Darebin Creek on Sunday less than
24 hours after her mother, Sofina Nikat, told police she had been
snatched from her pram in Olympic Park in Heidelberg West.
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Sanaya Sahib's father, Sameer Sahbib (left) carried his daughter in a tiny wooden the coffin that he had built
Zureeen Sahib the maternal grand mother of Sanaya Sahib is comforted at Bunurong Memorial Park
Sameer Sahib (left, father) and Sheraz Sahib (grandfather) carry the coffin of 14 month old Sanaya Sahib at her funeral
The funeral service was open to the
public from 10.45am on Saturday at Bunurong Memorial Park, followed by a
private, family-only burial
Sameer Sahib (second from left) the father of 14 month old Sanaya Sahib prays at her funeral in Dandenong
Sameeer Sahib (left), father of Sanaya Sahib carries the coffin at Bunurong Memorial Park on Saturday in Dandenong
Nikat, of Mitcham, was charged with her daughter's murder on Tuesday.
The
funeral service was open to the public from 10.45am on Saturday at
Bunurong Memorial Park, and was followed by a private, family-only
burial.
Brother-in-law Jameel Ahmed told The Daily Telegraph that the support for the family had been overwhelming.
Family and friends arrive for the funeral of Sanaya Sahib at Bunurong Memorial Park on Saturday
Mourners embrace at the funeral of 14 month old Sanaya Sahib at her funeral in South Dandenong in Melbourne on Saturday
Zureeen Sahib the maternal grand mother of Sanaya Sahib is comforted at Sanaya Sahib's funeral on Saturday
Murdered Melbourne toddler Sanaya Sahib was farewelled at a public funeral service, one week after she was reported missing
Melbourne toddlerSanaya Sahib's funeral was held on Saturday
Man Ismail Hyka (left) speaks at the funeral for 14 month old Sanaya Sahib
'It's incredible to see just how many hearts our Sanaya has touched,' he said.
He said the tragedy had united so many because a baby can bring love to so many lives.
Mr Ahmed said that her father, Sameer loves his 'little princess.'
Family and friends mourn the death of murdered Melbourne toddler, Sanaya Sahib at her funeral on Saturday
Zureeen Sahib the maternal grand mother of Sanaya Sahib breaks down at Sanaya Sahib's funeral on Saturday
Sameeer Sahib (right), father of Sanaya Sahib is greeted at Bunurong Memorial Park on Saturday
Sanaya Sahib's coffin is taken away during her funeral at Bunurong Memorial Park
Heartbroken family and friends attend Sanaya Sahib funeral on Saturday
'The
bond between a father and daughter is unbreakable... We say goodbye
Sanaya, you will be missed but you are now with Allah and his angels.'
The young woman who found the body, Rosalia Mason led emotional tributes at the funeral.
She said her family wanted to help search for Sanaya after she was the subject of a missing persons search herself in 2014.
The young woman who found the body, Rosalie Mason (left) speaks at the funeral for 14 month old Sanaya Sahib
Family and friends arrive for the funeral of Sanaya Sahib at Bunurong Memorial
Sameeer Sahib, father of Sanaya Sahib is greeted at Bunurong Memorial Park on Saturday
Dear Sanaya, Rest in peace- Flowers and kind words honor Sanaya Sahib
Family and friends gather at the funeral of murdered Melbourne toddler Sanaya Sahib
Sameeer Sahib, father of Sanaya Sahib is comforted at his daughters funeral
'We
made statements about what happened how we found her and what we saw
and it will be forever be planted in our minds but we are glad we found
her there ... you may rest in paradise forever,' Ms Mason said.
On Friday, about 200 people and Sanaya's family gathered at Olympic Park for a vigil and balloon releasing ceremony.
Sameer Sahib said it was too late for his 14-month-old daughter, but not too late for others reported the Herald Sun.
Sameer Sahib, Sanaya's father, built the tiny wooden coffin that his daughter was buried in on Saturday
A group of about 200 people gathered at Olympic Park in Melbourne on Friday to remember Sanaya Sahib
Mr Sahib, who separated from Sanaya's mother in July 2015, said he had battled authorities to see his daughter.
'She shouldn’t have been in that environment,' Mr Sahib said. 'I do not want other people to go through this.'
A
public memorial for murdered toddler Sanaya Sahib was held at Olympic
Park in Melbourne on Friday, close to where her body was found.
A group of about 200 people gathered at the park in Heidelberg West at 11am to remember the 14-month-old girl.
The
toddler's body was found in the Darebin Creek on Sunday less than 24
hours after her mother, Sofina Nikat, told police she had been snatched
from her pram in a Heidelberg West park.
The toddler's body was found in Darebin Creek last Sunday less than 24 hours after her mother claimed she had been snatched
Community support for Sanaya has left her heartbroken family 'almost lost for words'
Ms
Nikat had told police a man of African appearance, smelling of alcohol
and wearing no shoes, pushed her to the ground on Saturday morning
before taking off with the toddler.
She said she gave chase but could not catch him.
Ms Nikat, of Mitcham, was charged with her daughter's murder on Tuesday.
Hundreds
of flowers, soft toys, and notes have been left at a makeshift shrine
along a fence at Olympic Park since the toddler was murdered.
Her
father, Sameer Sahib, has released videos of the little girl being
cuddled by his estranged wife just days before Ms Nikat allegedly
murdered the toddler.
Sanaya Sahib's family thanked the community for its support at the vigil, saying it has left them 'almost lost for words'.
The toddler's mother, Sofina Nikat, was charged with her daughter's murder on Tuesday
Community members who gathered at the vigil released pink and yellow balloons in memory of the toddler
Sanaya Sahib's family thanked the community for its support at the vigil
Sanaya's uncle, Jameel Ahmed, said the family thanked the community from 'the bottom of our hearts'
Mr Ahmed said 'She (Sanaya) absolutely lit up our lives in the short time she was with us'
Local girl Bella-Mia Bortolin performed two songs at the funeral.
After
the balloon ceremony and two songs performed by local nine-year-old
girl Bella-Mia Bortolin, Sanaya's uncle, Jameel Ahmed, said the family
thanked the community from 'the bottom of our hearts'.
'Obviously it's been the most difficult week for all of us and it means so much, I'm almost lost for words,' he said.
'She (Sanaya) absolutely lit up our lives in the short time she was with us, she touched a lot of hearts.'
Sanaya's
funeral will be held at Dandenong South's Bunurong Memorial Park at
11.15am on Saturday, with the service open to the public before a
private burial.
Family and friends wrote messages for Sanaya on balloons before they were released into the sky
Hundreds of balloons filled the sky over Melbourne's Olympic Park in memory of Sanaya
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