Candlelit vigil held in Manchester in memory of murdered schoolteacher Sabina Nessa
- Sabina Nessa vigil held in St Peter's Square
- Cheetham poet Sarfraz Malik calls for community cohesion
- Man held on suspicion of Sabina's murder released from police custody
A candlelit vigil was held last night in Manchester in memory of murdered schoolteacher Sabina Nessa.
Vigils were held across the country to commemorate the life of the south London teacher attacked just minutes from her home last Friday.
Manchester resident Ashley Thorpe organised the St Peter’s Square vigil through Facebook.
He told the Northern Quota he wanted to do something to help and stressed the importance of working together to create safer streets in the hope there might be a cultural shift to protect more women in the future.
Candles were lit by the small gathering of people and a few moments of silence were shared to reflect on the tragedy and the loss.
Among the mourners was Muslim ex-teacher and writer Sarfraz Malik, also known as ‘The Cheetham Poet’ who is involved in several projects to bring us together as a community.
After reciting a poem called Just Cause I’m a Woman he spoke to NQ about his efforts to bind the community together.
On Sunday (tomorrow) he is attending the open day at the Jewish Museum, as part of the Cheetham Cultural Festival.
He will recite a poem and present it to the museum, in the hope it will be displayed to encourage his Muslim friends to build links with the Jewish community and visit the centre.
He is also actively engaged in bringing the Indian and Pakistani community together over a shared passion of cricket.
Sarfraz said: “Whatever the tensions may be 3,000 miles away at the border, whether it’s with Indian Kashmir, Pakistani Kashmir or along any part of the border, the good people of Manchester come out, help each other and support each other.”