Community remembers 7/7

Emdad Rahman

A host of community activists joined The Gift of Knowledge (GOK) at Aldgate Underground Station to remember the victims of 7/7 as East London fell silent on the eleventh anniversary of the “7/7” attacks in London. Roses were handed out to commuters as a sign of peace, unity and unconditional love.

Female scholar Selina Begum Ali, founder of Heart 2 Heart, an initiative of GOK, said, “As Muslims we want to take this opportunity to show we care and we are one community. Terrorists have no place in our lives whatsoever.”

Tower Hamlets Mayor John Biggs attended the event. He said: “We strongly feel the need to show our solidarity and stand shoulder to shoulder with those who lost their loved ones.”

Tim Clacton from St George In The East Church said, “It makes me immensely proud to join my brothers and sisters today in remembrance. I had someone very dear to me who just avoided travelling on that fateful train that day. This is truly reflective of our community.”

Event convenor and community champion Khoyrul Shaheed said: “We pray and hope that our displays of humanity and heart to heart encounters will unite us further and give us the strength to reject those who seek to break us.” Former Tower Councillor Abdal Ullah said, “We are in this together.”

Abul Hyat Nurujjaman, Director of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI) and Chair of Taj Accountants, said, “We have always been one community. It has been a pleasure to take time out today and join all these wonderful people in remembrance. We will not allow ourselves to be disunited.”

Aldgate Station Manager Mike Smith said, “We are proud to join with our local community in remembering those we lost on that tragic day.”

Emdad Rahman said, “We are all victims of what happened eleven years ago. London is the greatest city in the world and I’m so proud how fellow Londoners of all denominations have supported each other with genuine love and zero prejudice.”

An immaculately observed minute’s silence was held to remember all the lives lost on that tragic day.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan attended a memorial service in Hyde Park this morning, where he vowed to do “everything possible” to protect against another terrorist attack. He said, “Eleven years on, we must never forget those who lost their lives on 7/7, and the unity we showed as Londoners.”

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