Exchange student Aiia Maasarwe's dream of living in Melbourne has become a nightmare for her family as they embark on a long journey home to Israel with the dead 21-year-old.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sister Noor Massarwa posted on instagram as relatives prepared to leave Australia on Tuesday.
"She was living a dream in Melbourne, a dream that ended up being worst (sic) than a nightmare," she wrote.
Noor had been on the phone to Aiia when she was attacked at the northern suburb of Bundoora last week.
"Violence against women is not a women issue, it is a men issue.
"No one deserve to be treated like that."
Noor also left Australia with a positive message.
"A BIG thanks to the people of Australia, Baqa al Gharbiyye and people from around the world for their love, care and support. Reminding us that there are still good people in the world."
Father Saeed Maasarwe wiped away tears as he made a heartfelt plea for "more peace" at a Dandenong mosque last night where hundreds of people gathered for an emotional tribute to Aiia.
"We want to make the world more peace (sic) and more safety and more beautiful, and more smile and more forgive each other. This is the message we want to send. This is not me, but Aiia," Mr Maasarwe told reporters.
"I wish all the people see the light and go to the light. Don't be in the dark. And to think positive."
The body of the Palestinian Arab of Israeli citizenship is understood to be travelling to Baka al Gharbiyye on Tuesday.
Her family plans to bury her in line with their Muslim faith after a funeral on Wednesday in Israel.
Another public vigil will be held in her honour, near where her body was found, on Tuesday evening.
Mourners are invited to pay their respects at the corner of Plenty Road and Main Drive, from 6.30pm.
Organiser Kelsey Wilson says visitors will be able to pay tribute and there will be a short reading.
It comes a day after Ms Maasarwe's alleged killer faced court for the second time.
Codey Herrmann, 20, is charged with Ms Maasarwe's rape and murder.
Victorian upper house MP Jeff Bourman has used Ms Maasarwe's death in a renewed push for the legalisation of "non-lethal self-defence" items.
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party representative has previously called for "people of good standing" to be able to legally obtain items including a Taser and pepper spray to defend themselves.
"We need to allow innocent people the option to level the playing field," he said in statement.
Australian Associated Press