Hundreds of mourners, protesters, residents and members of authority bodies have attended a silent vigil held in tribute of murdered Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe.

The stairs of the Victorian State Parliament building in the Melbourne CBD were lined with people in a show of solidarity as part of a Reclaim the Night Melbourne event to honour Ms Maasarwe’s life.

No music, speeches or noise was heard at the vigil, attended by Ms Maasarwe’s father.

“When I see people here like this, huge people, support us and give us good feeling about Australia and the community here in Australia we appreciate all of them one by one,” he said tonight.

“(Aiia) was special girl. All the time she think positive, she happy. She can make everything even from the (worst) situation happy and joke. She is very friendly. She is really very, very happy.

“The smile the way she talking for everything, she looking to do everything in the best way. If it is not the best way she don’t do this way.”

source: 9news