A VIGIL has been held in Warrington in memory of Shafilea Ahmed on what would have been her 37th birthday.

The teenager was tragically murdered aged 17 by her own parents in front of her siblings at the family’s home in Great Sankey in 2003.

Shafilea was suffocated to death 20 years ago, with her body discovered in the Lake District five months later.

In 2012, her mother and father, Farzana and Iftikhar Ahmed, were convicted of her murder, and each jailed for a minimum of 25 years.

The couple had believed that their daughter was becoming ‘too westernised’ and were angered that she had refused a forced marriage to her cousin in Pakistan.

Since 2015, July 14 has also been the National Day of Memory for victims of honour-based abuse.

Police searching the Ahmeds home on Liverpool Road

Police searching the Ahmeds' home on Liverpool Road

On Wednesday, a conference and vigil was held in the town, with orange ribbons tied to the Golden Gates.

This discussed the issues of ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices, the challenges faced by professionals working with those at risk and the work being done to end these practices.

Saliha Rashid, survivor ambassador for charity Savera UK, delivered an emotive reading of Shafilea Ahmed’s own poem Happy Families.

This revealed the torment she suffered before her murder, before fellow survivor ambassador Khatra Paterson closed the ceremony with a short tribute and minute’s silence.

Guests were each invited to tie an orange ribbon to the Golden Gates, as a symbol of remembrance and hope for the future, for a world without honour-based abuse and harmful practices.

John Dwyer, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: “The conference was fundamental in bringing together professionals who may come into contact with people vulnerable and at-risk of honour-based abuse, and to raise awareness of what is happening.

CPS chief crown prosecutor Jaswant Narwal, Savera UK founder Afrah Qassim, Cheshire PCC John Dwyer, and Savera UK chair Aislinn O’Dwyer at the vigil

CPS chief crown prosecutor Jaswant Narwal, Savera UK founder Afrah Qassim, Cheshire PCC John Dwyer, and Savera UK chair Aislinn O’Dwyer at the vigil

“There were a number of survivor stories told during the event. You could hear a pin drop and it was a harrowing reminder of why we were there.

“I want Cheshire to be at the forefront of the change and help Savera UK meet its aim of eradicating honour-based abuse, and I am going to pull together a working group to enable this to happen.

“To do this, I need to know what the knowledge gaps are when it comes to this issue.

“I am currently running a survey to find out what people know about this topic, and I urge you all to take a few minutes and share your views with me.”

Afrah Qassim, CEO and founder of Savera UK, added: “It is 20 years since Shafilea Ahmed was murdered by her parents in an ‘honour’ killing.

“It is vital that we recognise and accept that honour killings, honour-based abuse and harmful practices still happen today, in the UK and around the world.

Farzana and Iftikhar Ahmed were jailed for her murder

Farzana and Iftikhar Ahmed were jailed for her murder

“It can affect anyone, regardless of age, culture, sexuality, gender, or ethnicity. It is a collective issue and one that we must work together to end.

“We thank those who attended our conference and vigil on Wednesday, those who support our mission and our brave clients and survivor ambassadors, who have bravely shared their stories and given a voice to the issue.

“Our Day of Memory conference had opened and continued important conversations about what we have achieved and what still needs to be done to help survivors and those at risk of honour-based abuse and harmful practices.

“While progress has been made, there is still much to do, and we will work relentlessly to end honour-based abuse for good.”

To fill-in the short survey, visit smartsurvey.co.uk/s/PCCHBA1