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Foundation Honors Slain Moroccan Couple at Site of 2002 Hate Crime in Brussels
Sunday 31 October 2021, by
19 years after the murder of the Moroccan couple Habiba El-Hajji (45 years old) and Isnasni Ahmed (47 years old), their children have managed to make the building where they experienced this tragic end the headquarters of the foundation that bears their name. The ceremony to place the plaque on the building took place last Friday in the presence of several personalities as well as the family and friends of the family.
The Habiba Ahmed Foundation was created in memory of the Moroccan couple shot dead on May 7, 2002 by an extreme right-wing sympathizer. By establishing the headquarters of this foundation at the scene of the tragedy, at 121 Vanderlinden Street in Schaerbeek, their loved ones want to work to ensure that the memory of Habiba and Ahmed is not lost. Even if located at this level, witness to a painful past, the foundation does not work in the premises, reports bx1.be.
Last Friday, a plaque was placed on the house, in the presence of members of the Schaerbeek college, including the mayor representing Cécile Jodogne, as well as the Brussels Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities Nawal Ben Hamou. While saluting the memory work being done, they expressed their support for the foundation, which is preparing to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the tragedy.
The office of the Federal Secretary of State for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, Sarah Schlitz, was also represented. Gérard Buyck, the neighbor who rescued the family’s three children, also took part in the event. Another important fact last Friday, the launch of the #RDV7MAI2022 campaign in preparation for the 20th anniversary commemoration and a crowdfunding for this purpose.
"We aspire for the street to be renamed in their memory," explained Kenza Isnasni, at the origin of the foundation created in memory of her parents. "Public space is a reflection of the history of society and having a street in their name would allow the memory work to continue, which must endure so that such acts never happen again... It is also a way to enhance their story and that of an entire generation of parents," she added.