THE mum of an eight-year-old girl who died following an incident in her Wexford home last month has told how her “heart is broken into a million pieces”.
Little Malika Noor Al Katib died from injuries sustained during an incident in her home on Upper William Street, New Ross on December 1 at around 11.30 pm.
Malika’s mother, Aisha Al Kattib is continuing to recover from injuries sustained in the same incident.
And speaking to the New Ross Standard, Aisha told how the entire community came together to show her support in her time of grief.
She said: “I am very grateful for all the kind messages and how New Ross came together as a community to help each other.”
The devastated parent said kind-hearted people left flowers, cards and teddies outside the home she lived in with her little girl after the tragedy.
And she told how little Malika was “pure love”, describing her as a compassionate and confident child who “never wanted anyone to be hurt or feel pain”.
Aisha said: “My heart is broken into a million pieces and taste of life is gone from me without my daughter.”
“Everyone knows Malika and I lived in New Ross for four years, peacefully and happily. We loved being here. I have the best neighbours in the world and I am so grateful.
“Malika came from a multinational, multi-religion family, but most of us are Irish and are very proud of the fact of being Irish.
“Thank you to the kind, open minded people who were caring and compassionate.
“And also, the people who know myself and my beautiful daughter Malika Noor, which means ‘princess of light’.
“She definitely was my light throughout her whole life and even now, her strength lives on in me.”
Aisha confirmed that once she has healed from her injuries she will be organising a memorial for Malika.
Malika was laid to rest on Saturday, December 14, in Kilbarry Cemetery, Waterford.
Mohammad Al Shaker Al Tamimi, 34, of Lower William Street in New Ross, Co Wexford, appeared in court on December 4 charged with the murder of his daughter and the attempted killing of her mother.
He was further remanded in custody after appearing via video link at Wexford District Court on January 14.
