At the Old Bailey Court in London, the trial for the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif has drawn significant attention as new details emerge.
The three suspects fled to Pakistan, after which her father, Urfan Sharif, made a 999 call from Pakistan, informing authorities about the presence of her body at their family home in Woking, Surrey, in August 2023.
Police went to the property and found her body beneath sheets in the bottom of a bunk bed alongside a note from her father saying that he did not intend on killing her but pushed her for being naughty. The post-mortem examination revealed Sara had suffered “multiple and extensive injuries” over a prolonged period, leading authorities to believe she had been subjected to long-term abuse.
The call sparked an international manhunt for three key suspects—her father, Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool, and Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik. After fleeing to Pakistan shortly after her death, they were eventually arrested and extradited to the UK in September.
The Bible is very strict about the protection of children, to the point that Matthew 8:6 (NIV) states, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want, and that they can grow up in peace.” — Kofi Annan
The three suspects were charged with murder and child neglect, and their trial is ongoing. During early court proceedings, all three defendants denied responsibility for Sara’s death. The case has raised questions about the systems designed to protect vulnerable children, as it appears Sara had been seen by social services prior to her death.
The trial is expected to be complex, as the investigation involves evidence gathered in both the UK and Pakistan. With the family’s flight raising suspicion and the international dimension of the case, it has garnered widespread media attention. The justice system will now seek to provide answers for Sara’s untimely death and hold those responsible accountable.
The African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” springs to mind and highlights how, sadly, Sara was badly failed by her village.
All children deserve the right to life. Let’s do what we can to support vulnerable children, be it in prayer and practically.