Sabina Nessa: 'There is no place for suffering like this' says uncle

Police estimate that more than 500 people packed into a small square in south-east London for the candlelit vigil where tears were shed in memory of teacher Sabina Nessa.

Speeches were given beside a giant photograph of the 28-year-old smiling proudly in her graduation gown, as her family sat nearby and wept while watching the proceedings as darkness fell.

Members of the public attend a vigil in memory of Sabina Nessa, and in solidarity against violence against women, at Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, south London.
Jonathan Brady

Prayers were said and a minute’s silence held.

Metropolitan Police borough commander Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Lawry, who is responsible for the Greenwich, Lewisham and Bexley areas, said he thought that “in excess of 500 people” were present.

Adults and children came with flowers, candles and messages written on cards and paper to show their support.

Members of the public attend a vigil in memory of Sabina Nessa, and in solidarity against violence against women, at Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, south London.
Jonathan Brady

Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Lawry told those gathered: “My thoughts go to the family and friends of Sabina at this time.

“My thoughts also go to the community of Kidbrooke who have also got to come to terms with the tragic death of one of their residents.

“Not only do we stand with you tonight – we do this going forward.

“Please help us catch the person responsible for this shocking incident.”

He urged them to work with the police and “please do not forget Sabina. Say her name and remember her”.

Ms Nessa’s uncle, Shahin Miah, said the family has “no language to speak in these difficult times”.

In a statement read out at a rally 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 devastated and distraught as a family.”

Mr Miah added: “Those of you who are here today are sympathetic to our grief over this brutal murder, 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.

“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.”

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.”

She added: “Sabina loved her family.

“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.”