A group of Muslimahs led a community rally demanding justice for the murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa last Friday.
28-year-old Nessa, who taught year one children at Rushey Green Primary School in Lewisham, took a five-minute walk to meet a friend near her home in Kidbrooke, on September 17 at around 8.30 pm when she was attacked.
Her body was found close to the OneSpace Community Centre in Cator Park the following day at around 5.30 pm.
The event held at the Maryam Centre in East London Mosque included female leaders from the Muslim community and guest speakers from women’s and community organisations. The community rally was organised by East London Mosque, The Muslim Women’s Collective, Women 100 and The East London Citizens Organisation.
Her sister sent a message to the community rally saying the family was “shocked” by Nessa’s brutal murder, and there were “no words” to describe their feelings.
Shahin Miah, the uncle of Sabina Nessa, said that the family was “devastated” and “distraught” by her murder.
“Today, I have appear before you with great sorrow. We have no language to speak in these difficult times. There is no place for suffering like this. We are devastated and distraught as a family. The tragic death of Sabina Nessa has left her parents and sisters so devastated that they are unable to appear before you – this why I am here today on their behalf,” Mian told the rally.
“On behalf of the family of Sabina Nessa, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who have spoken out against it,” he added.
In a statement, Jebina Yasmin Islam said: “We as a family are shocked by the murder of our sister, daughter and aunty to my girls.
“There are no words to describe how we are feeling as a family at the moment. We did not expect that something like this would ever happen to us. I urge everyone to walk on busy streets when walking home from work, school or friends’ homes. Please keep safe. I ask you to pray for our sister and make dua for her. May Allah grant her paradise.”
Islam Channel had attended a vigil held in Peglar Square in Kidbroooke, from which it reported:
