A memorial bench will be unveiled in Edinburgh on Monday to honor Fawziyah Javed, a pregnant woman who was murdered by her husband.
In September 2021, Fawziyah Javed, a 31-year-old lawyer from Leeds who was 17 weeks pregnant, was on a short vacation in Edinburgh with her husband, Kashif Anwar, 29. During the trip, she fell from a height on Arthur’s Seat. Before her death, Javed managed to tell witnesses that her husband had pushed her.
Kashif Anwar was later convicted of her murder at the High Court in Edinburgh and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The court revealed that Anwar pushed Javed because she wanted to end their marriage.
Karma Nirvana, a charity that supports individuals affected by honor-based abuse, in collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council, will unveil the bench at Arthur’s Seat. The memorial aims to commemorate Javed’s life and serve as a reminder of the need to combat violence against women and girls.
“This bench will stand as a lasting tribute to an extraordinary woman whose life was tragically cut short. Her spirit continues to inspire all who knew her,” the charity stated. “As we remember Fawziyah through this event, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting victims, advocating for an end to violence, and empowering individuals to escape abuse.”
Karma Nirvana described Javed as “exceptionally intelligent, resilient, and compassionate,” and a “beacon of kindness, generosity, and selflessness.” The charity also praised the Scottish Government’s efforts to address honor-based abuse as part of its broader strategy to combat violence against women and girls.
Those wishing to join Fawziyah Javed’s family at the unveiling are asked to meet at St Leonard’s Bank on Monday at 1 p.m.
