Man charged with murder after body of 21-year-old Muslim woman discovered in east London

A 26-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Hina Bashir after a body was found in east London in the early hours of Sunday. 

21-year-old Hina was reported missing from Ilford last week. 

Mohammed Arslan, from Ilford, was charged with her murder after a body was discovered and appeared in court on Monday, according to a statement by the UK’s Metropolitan Police sent to The New Arab. 

“We are continuing our work to develop a full understanding of what happened to Hina, not just in recent days but in the weeks prior to this terrible incident,” Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said. 

While a post-mortem examination is yet to take place, the London police force informed Hina’s family of the discovery. The family are currently being supported by “specialist officers”. 

"My thoughts are with Hina's family who have suffered a terrible loss. We will provide them with whatever support we can," said Whellams.  

The Met has urged anyone with further information on the case to come forward. 

I'm devastated to hear about the murder of Hina Bashir from Ilford. My thoughts are with her loved ones at this terrible time. A man has been charged with Hina’s murder and @metpoliceuk are appealing for information to help with their investigation.

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) July 18, 2022

The horrific murder of Hina comes just weeks after Zara Aleena, 35, was killed in east London when walking back from a night out. 

Jordan McSweeny, 29, was charged with Zara’s murder and is due to appear in court in September. 

The reoccurrence of violent attacks against women in Britain’s capital has caused serious alarm among female advocacy groups and residents, who last year were outraged by the murder of Sarah Everard by former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens. 

Couzens was sentenced to a life imprisonment without the possibility of release for Sarah's killing.

“It is devastating to hear news of the murder of Hina Bashir. Our thoughts are with her friends and family as we reflect on another tragic loss of life to male violence,” wrote Our Streets Now, a campaign against public sexual harassment.