Special Report
MEN, women and children wept on the streets as five hearses drew up outside an Accrington mosque.
Despite the cold and wet weather, hundreds of mourners of all ages and races gathered at the Raza Jamia Masjid mosque to pay their respects to Caneze, 39, and her four daughters.
Adam Riaz, 17, the only surviving member of the family, bravely attended the funeral, supported by his grandmother and Caneze's mother, June, her brother Barry and his wife.
The coffins, draped in fabric embroidered with Islamic scripture, arrived in the hearses each containing a floral wreath in the shape of the girls' names made of white and pink roses. Caneze's hearse also had a touching wreath inside simply saying 'Mum'.
To the chanting sound of Islamic prayers each hearse was driven to the front of the mosque on Grimshaw Street, and pallbearers carried the coffins in for the dignified service.
After the Islamic funeral prayer, the Janaza, there was a two-minute silence and men, who had packed into the tiny mosque, filed out onto the streets, wiping tears from their eyes.
Following the Islamic tradition, which forbids "indulgence in intemperate grief for the dead", Adam stoically held his head high as he left the mosque.
The coffins were carried out to the waiting hearses on the shoulders of the bearers ready for their final journey to Accrington Cemetery.
As the hearses were driven away hundreds of voices joined in harmony to sing the mournful prayers which Haji Sardar Ali, chairman of the mosque, asked Allah to forgive both the dead and the mourners of their sins, cleanse their souls and to find them a place in heaven.
He also said because the family had suffered an unnatural death they would be made martyrs in heaven.
Wahaad Ahmed, general secretary of the mosque, said: "The suffering of our community pales into insignificance compared to the monumental grief and sadness that must be being felt by Caneze's immediate family, our thoughts and prayers are with her mother, brother and especially her boy, Adam.
"We echo the many tributes that have poured in for Caneze from our community and beyond.
"We recognise and give thanks for a tireless and dedicated professional with unique gifts to 'connect' with young and old from different backgrounds and cultures.
"We mourn for the daughters that brought so much joy to her and our community.
"We also offer prayers for the soul of our brother Mohammed Riaz. Mohammed came to our community when he married Caneze and was adopted as 'one of our own'."
He added: "Caneze united people in death as she did during her life of service to our community and borough. We hope and pray that these funeral proceedings are a testimony to the loss of an extraordinary spirit."
Caneze's family has requested that donations should be made via Haji Sardar Ali at the mosque with all proceeds going to Christie Hospital.
