Vigil planned for pregnant Leeds solicitor Fawziyah Javed allegedly murdered by her husband a year ago

The parents of a Leeds woman allegedly murdered by her husband on Arthur's Seat will make a heartbreaking visit to Edinburgh to take part in a vigil marking the anniversary of her death.
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Solicitor Fawziyah Javed died after falling from the city landmark on September 2 last year as she visited for a short break with her husband.

When an inquest opening was held in April, the medical cause of her death was recorded as complications of multiple injuries after a fall from height.

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The 31-year-old, who lived in Ash Crescent in Headingley, had been expecting her first child when she died.

Leeds solicitor Fawziyah Javed, who died after a fall from Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.Leeds solicitor Fawziyah Javed, who died after a fall from Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.
Leeds solicitor Fawziyah Javed, who died after a fall from Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.

Fawziyah's mum, Yasmin Javed, said she had originally vowed never to visit Edinburgh again because it would be too traumatic, but she had decided she must make the trip for her daughter.

Mrs Javed, who lives in Pudsey, said: "It's really, really difficult. This will be the first time I've been to Edinburgh since the horrific tragedy. I always said I wouldn't go because it would just be too much for me, but I've decided it's something I need to do for Fawziyah. I need to come."

She said her husband Mohammed and other family members would be coming with her too.

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The vigil on Friday September 2 between 2pm and 5.30pm will take place outside the Scottish Parliament, close to Arthur's Seat. It will include speeches, prayers and poetry.

Vigils have previously been held in both Leeds and Edinburgh to mark what would have been the due date of Fawziyah's baby.

Mrs Javed said: "Fawziyah was our only child, pregnant with our first grandchild. It has been absolutely tortuous and painful. To say that we're devastated doesn't even come close.

"The pain is just so deep, I don't have the words to describe the depth of our pain. There are just so many layers to this grief.

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"Fawziyah was popular, she was well-loved and well-liked, she was a very successful solicitor and had her whole life ahead of her. It has destroyed our lives and our world.

"We're still in shock. Every day I wake up and I think 'Has this really happened?' I can't believe it's coming up to a year because every second of the day since this happened we're just in deep pain and grief. It still feels very surreal, as if it's not happened."

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Pictures from emotional vigil held for 31-year-old Leeds murder victim Fawziyah ...

Fawziyah’s husband Kashif Anwar, 28, is due to go on trial for her murder in March next year.

It means her family must wait longer yet to learn just what happened on the day Fawziyah died.

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Mrs Javed said: "We weren't there and obviously the police are not allowed to say much. We have to wait for the trial."

But she said Fawziyah's death had touched a lot of people, adding: "A year on, people are still coming to see me, messaging me, writing to me."

Women's groups from Edinburgh will join the vigil along with others travelling up from London, Leeds and Bradford.

Last Christmas, the family also honoured Fawziyah's memory by donating to charities in her name.

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