An elderly lady clutches onto beads and weeps as schoolgirls dressed in blazers and ties share hugs.
Around the coffin, women - young and old - sway in unison as they sing prayers.
The raw emotion of mourners at the funeral of Shukri Abdi in Bury is overwhelming as the community comes to terms with the tragedy.
Hundreds of people gathered at Noor Ul Islam Mosque to pay their respects on Friday.
The 12-year-old lost her life after drowning in the River Irwell just over one week ago.
She had been with two other girls near Dunster Road when she disappeared into the water at around 8pm on Thursday. Her body was recovered by the emergency services at around midnight.
The Broad Oak Sports College pupil has moved to Bury around a year ago from Somalia with her family.
Family members and friends comforted her mother Zamzam Ture during the emotional service.
In a previous interview with The Manchester Evening News, Zamzam described her daughter as an ‘amazing’ and quiet girl.
In the bright sunshine, women then wiped away tears as a group wheeled her coffin to the men’s room for prayers.
They then came inside and shared curry and rice. Speaking outside the mosque during the ceremony, Shukri’s uncle Mustaf Omar expressed his gratitude for the support the family had received.
He said: “I want to thank people for coming and showing their solidarity. People have been coming from all over the UK to show support for Shukri.
”Members of the congregation then walked side by side to the teenager’s school to protest outside the gates."
On Thursday, bosses at the school announced they will launch an inquiry into the 12-year-old’s death after the family alleged that she was being bullied.
Greater Manchester Police have refuted the claim and say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
Members of the group shouted ‘we need justice’ and held banners saying ‘justice for Shukri Abdi’ during the peaceful demonstration.
