Georges River drowning: Islamic community pays tribute to five-year-old Essa Dennaoui

Hundreds of heartfelt messages paying tribute to five-year-old drowning victim Essa Dennaoui have been shared on social media by the Islamic community in the wake of his funeral on Saturday.

Hundreds of heartfelt messages paying tribute to five-year-old drowning victim Essa Dennaoui have been shared on social media by the Islamic community in the wake of his funeral on Saturday. Picture: NSW Police Media

Hundreds of heartfelt messages paying tribute to five-year-old drowning victim Essa Dennaoui have been shared on social media by the Islamic community in the wake of his funeral on Saturday.

The heartbreaking loss of five-year-old drowning victim Essa Dennaoui, struck a cord with many Muslim community members who took to social media to share their condolences and support for the Sydney southwest family.

News of the tragedy broke on Friday after police pulled a child’s body from the Georges River following investigations into a missing person’s report for Essa Dennaoui who had last been sighted in Chipping Norton the day before.

Police discovered a body of a child in the Georges River on Friday soon after Essa had been reported missing. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Police and family of beloved Essa Dennaoui held grave concerns for the five-year-old’s wellbeing during the search as he was non-verbal and autistic.

Facebook page ‘Request Dua’ made tribute posts for Essa Dennaoui with prayers and support for his family, and encouraged the Islamic community to “remember Essa’s parents and loved ones” in their prayers.

The posts received hundreds of comments from Muslims in support of the Dennaoui family.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his loved ones find solace in Allah’s wisdom and mercy,” one person commented.

“How heartbreaking. May Allah make it easy for the parents in this tragic time,” Selen Arnaout commented.

“A parents worst nightmare. My sincere condolences to his parents and family. God has gained another angel. Fly high little man,” Christina Val commented.

Mother Eman Hazzouri said young Essa often played with her kids, was non verbal and took his pillow with him “everywhere”. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Five-year-old Essa was known to play with the other children in his building with his favourite pillow always beside him.

Mother Eman Hazzouri lived in the same apartment complex as the Dennaoui family and told news.com.au that Essa would take his pillow “everywhere” with him when he played with her children.

His family held a funeral for Essa on Saturday at Rookwood Cemetery followed by a prayer service at Lakemba Mosque.