Candles were lit at the vigil for Sabina Nessa in Kidbrooke
(Picture: Lamiat Sabin)Last night, more than 500 people attended a vigil to pay their respects to Sabina Nessa, a teacher who was killed as she walked to a pub in south-east London.
Nessa had been walking to a pub to meet a friend. The journey should have taken five minutes and Detective Chief Inspector Joe Garrity said the park was “likely being used by many people from dog walkers to joggers” at the time she was killed - at around 8.30pm.
People who could not attend the vigil in Kidbrooke - where her body was discovered last Saturday - were encouraged to hold a candle at their doorstep at the same time.
Here are 10 photos and videos from the event:
"We have lost an amazing, caring, beautiful sister"
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) September 24, 2021
Sabina Nessa’s sister pays emotional tribute at vigil to murdered teacherhttps://t.co/e1qcqiN2GS pic.twitter.com/BPsRFqyL5c
Jebina Yasmin Islam, Sabina Nessa’s sister, broke down as she addressed crowds at the vigil.
She said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who came today to show support for my sister.
“We have lost an amazing, caring, beautiful sister, who left this world far too early. Words cannot describe how we are feeling, this feels like we are stuck in a bad dream and can’t get out of it - our world is shattered, we are simply lost for words.
“No family should go through what we are going through.”
MPs also attended the vigil:
Tonight, in anger and grief, I joined women at the vigil in Greenwich to remember a murdered sister.
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) September 24, 2021
Sabina Nessa. Say her name. pic.twitter.com/xbjj6Bw8yf
This evening we stood together at a vigil to remember and honour Sabina Nessa. pic.twitter.com/fuDbZ8MjEK
— Apsana Begum MP (@ApsanaBegumMP) September 24, 2021
As did members of the public and journalists:
Sabina Nessa was robbed of her life at the age of 28 because of male violence. The vigil tonight was beautiful. Ya Allah protect our women on these streets, what has this world become? Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un #SabinaNessa #justiceforsabiya pic.twitter.com/QQtjH3p4l0
— Murad Merali (@MuradMerali) September 24, 2021
Thousands here at the vigil to remember Sabina Nessa and call for an end to violence against women. #SabinaNessa pic.twitter.com/0xv9kNiucf
— Molly Blackall (@mollyblackall) September 24, 2021
Thousands come out to remember Sabina Nessa, exactly a week since she was killed @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/tyLvfmNLN8
— Minnie Stephenson (@MinnieStephC4) September 24, 2021
Rest in perfect peace Sabina. May the gardens of paradise be your final abode ❤🕊 #SabinaNessa pic.twitter.com/7AVtuiIwTq
— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 24, 2021
Moments before the vigil began, the Duchess of Cambridge said she was “saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets.”
“My thoughts are with Sabina’s family and friends, and all those who have been affected by this tragic event,” she tweeted.
As the vigil was taking place, a statement from Nessa’s uncle, Shahin Miah, said the family is “devastated and distraught”.
The statement, read out at a parallel event at the east London mosque, he said: “I 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 grateful to all who have been hurt, protested, sympathised with, and expressed concern for the safety of women throughout the UK, not just you, but throughout the UK.
“Any adversity teaches us to be united, gives us the strength to fight against injustice. Sabina is our grief today, Sabina is our courage today.”
The police have appealed for information about the case and have released CCTV footage of a man they believe could be “vital” to their enquiries. Two other men have been arrested and released pending further investigation.
