Uncle's tribute to Riaz family
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| Barry Khanan |
Caneze Riaz's brother has made an emotional tribute to the "beautiful family" whose lives were tragically cut short.
Barry Khanan spoke as his family released video footage of two of the girls - some taken just hours before their death.
His full tribute was as follows:
"The last few months have been the hardest we could ever have imagined.
"In such a short space of time nearly our whole family has been taken away.
"First Caneze and the beautiful girls in such a cruel, senseless and devastating way and then Adam through his painful illness.
"There is a massive gap that will never be filled.
"The family has been overwhelmed by the support that we have received from the community, in particular from Iqbal funeral services.
"Also, the ongoing support from Christies Hospital and my employers, EDC Deluxe for their understanding at this very difficult time.
"I would also like to thank the fire service for doing the best they could for my family.
"A handful of people have made this time more difficult either by the words they have spoken or by their actions.
"This is something we are addressing through the community and these individuals will be held responsible for their inappropriate actions.
"I wanted to take this opportunity to talk a little about Caneze and her children and what they meant to their family, their friends and to the wider community.
"It is true to say that we are now more proud of Caneze and the work she was involved in than we were before she died.
"We simply did not know how much she did, how many lives she touched and how selfless, encouraging and ultimately how modest Caneze was.
"Caneze wanted to help people make their lives better.
"She embraced Asian culture but worked hard to support those who felt suppressed by it.
"She was an excellent role model to young Asian women in Accrington, as well as to her own children and always encouraged them to live life to the full.
"It is true that her marriage to Mohammed (Riaz) had suffered over recent times and this is down to the different ways in which they approached their lives.
"Caneze was outgoing and wanted to better herself.
"Her husband was more withdrawn and would not get involved with her life.
"She had become frustrated with the lack of his emotional support and involvement throughout Adam's illness but she was still dedicated to her family and nothing would have changed that.
"Words cannot express how we feel about the man we believe killed our family and the way in which he took them away.
"We are still very angry and struggle to understand how he could have done what he did.
"They were such beautiful girls at the very start of their lives and he took that all away.
"I want to tell you about the girls.
"Sayrah was 16 years old and was like a second mum to her younger sisters.
"She was always helping mum. Her passion lay in fashion design and she was involved in putting on Asian fashion shows.
"She was very beautiful had loads of friends, but importantly gave respect and was respected for that.
"Sophia was 13 years old and was a typical 'tomboy'.
"In sharp contrast to Sayrah she loved rap music and wanted to be an MC.
"She would write songs, listen to music and watch videos. She was always full of fun.
"Mischievous Alicia, who was 10 years old, was happy go lucky and would never, ever stop talking.
"She was always eager to be involved and wanted to help at every opportunity.
"She had her life all planned out - she was going to go to college, get married and have children.
"Out of all the children Alicia embraced Asian culture the most and was a regular at the mosque. But she was also a 'daddy's girl'.
"Our baby Hannah was three years old. She was a bright and happy girl who was incredibly strong willed.
"She would argue with her mum every morning and would usually get her own way, once she was even allowed to go to nursery in her new pyjamas and her trainers just because she wanted to.
"Adam was 17 years old when he died. He outlived all his family and that was so incredibly hard for him.
"He was very angry at what had happened but was also in terrible physical pain through his illness.
"Adam didn't know he was going to die, although he knew he was very ill.
"He died from Ewings Sarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer.
"When he was diagnosed he was only given 3 to 6 months to live, but he lasted out a year.
"Adam's mum and sisters were his life and when they were taken away he just gave up.
"He didn't have anything to live for or to keep him going and he had only a short time to grieve.
"We have been left totally devastated with an ache in our heart that will never ease.
"We are left with photographs and memories, which are very precious.
"Caneze and the children will never be forgotten and it is difficult to look at the future.
"We are very proud that for the short time they were all with us that they brought joy into so many people's lives."
3:58pm Tuesday 20th February 2007
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CommentPosted by: A & G McIntyre, Accrington on 1:50am Sat 24 Feb 07
Barry, Your words, love and heartache altogether in your speech really tocuhed us when we heard you. You yourself have made everyone know just how much you thought of your sister, nieces and nephew aswell as us Caneze'es friends and all the community. All of them are in Heaven now and at peace with each other.
We know how much everyone would have preferred for them to be here with U, your mum and family as nobody deserved what they went through...NO MATTER WHAT but they'll never be forgotten.
Take care and Caneze and her children would have been so sad to see you so heartbroken but she will be extremely proud of you and June your mum for your courageousness at such a devastating and hard time.
Love to you all...RIP to Caneze, Adam, Sayrah, Sophia, Alicia & Hannah...God Bless all of you - such a lovely family we knew ****
Barry, Your words, love and heartache altogether in your speech really tocuhed us when we heard you. You yourself have made everyone know just how much you thought of your sister, nieces and nephew aswell as us Caneze'es friends and all the community. All of them are in Heaven now and at peace with each other.
We know how much everyone would have preferred for them to be here with U, your mum and family as nobody deserved what they went through...NO MATTER WHAT but they'll never be forgotten.
Take care and Caneze and her children would have been so sad to see you so heartbroken but she will be extremely proud of you and June your mum for your courageousness at such a devastating and hard time.
Love to you all...RIP to Caneze, Adam, Sayrah, Sophia, Alicia & Hannah...God Bless all of you - such a lovely family we knew ****
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