Wilson handing out free panic alarm to an Eastern European gentleman who had previously been mugged in a purported racially aggravated incident.
Rick from the ELCF checking out the food that his organisation provided for eating.
Rick loved the food so much he came back for more!
Scores of people kept us busy
This homeless man with a bruised and cut face joined us in our peace meal and took a panic alarm. He advised us of the bullying and persecution he is often subjected to.
Redbridge Carnival Queen Kajul Pahl and Princess Anum Anaib encouraged people to join us in Town centre.
"This is how you prime the Panic alarm"
Rick loves photos!
Carnival Queen Kajul encourages those in Ilford's "Mall" to join us.
A most accessible and diverse event.
Rick from ECLF and Mal from the RNWA enjoying the event with visitors.
Young and old mourn the loss of a young life.
The memorial was crammed with well wishers sharing the pain of the Mahmood Family.
Parvin Mahmood lays a new wreath for her lost son.
People form up as we set up for the memorial speeches.
Superintendent John Sweeney joins Parvin Mahmood and Anne Oakes-odger in setting up a memorial.
Anne Oakes-lodger read a poem written by Kashif's sister Zainab Mahmood
A 1 minutes silence allows people to reflect on the futility of knife crime.
John Sweeney talks of the needless waste of such crime, he was the chief officer involved in the murder case of Kashif Mahmood.
Riffat Rizvi - the mother of Sabina Rizvi lost to gun crime spoke of the hurt it caused her family.
Alex Chowdhry from the British Pakistani Christian Association talked on community cohesion, togetherness and the need to bring change from within ourselves.
Elizabeth from Sizanani Africa spoke of the need for peace.
Elizabeth really stirred young people hearts and encouraged them to join her group.
Wilson reminds young people that there is much they can do to help in the fight against violent crime.
Whilst Parvin Mahmood spoke the Carnival Queen and court at our event were great ambassadors for our Borough.
Young and Old, Black, White and Asian - united against crime.
Father Ackroyd from Vine United Reform Church joins the Redbridge Carnival Queens after a successful event.
Rick has been busy all day trying to get in pictures - this time we got his banner in!
Rick with Karen Campbell (RNWA) and Elizabeth (Sizanani Africa)
Our thanks to ECLF for funding this project they deserve the profile - well done Rick!
The unsung heroes - Juliet my wife cooked for people all day and Ash Chowdhry did most of the setting up. These two members of the BPCA were committed to make the RNWA event a real success!
The Redbridge Neighbourhood Watch Association is a group dedicated to reducing crime and supporting Neighbourhood Watches in the London Borough of Redbridge. This year on the 5th Anniversary of the demise of 'Kashif Mahmood' in youth knife attack, they held a peace barbecue.
The barbcue took place in the Car park of Vine United Reform Church opposite the notorious subway in which the fatal knife crime attack took place. Father Ackroyd from the church supported the vent by providing free drinks, while the East London Community Foundation paid for the food and the flyers after a funding application was successful.
The mother of Parvin Mahmood held a memorial at 16:30 that as hosted by Wilson Chowdhry of the RNWA. Guest speakers included:
Parvin Mahmood (mother of Kashif Mahmood stabbed to death in 2005)
Anne Oakes-Odger (Chairperson for KnifeCrimes.org - her son was stabbed to death in 2004)
Riffat Rizvi (her daughter Sabina was shot outside Croydon police station in 2003)
Superintendent John Sweeney (Chief officer involved in murder case for Kashif Mahmood)
Alex Chowdhry (Chairman BPCA)
Elizabeth Kayembe (Sizanani Africa - a group focused on building the capacity and skills of minority groups)
Bushra Tahir (Awaaz)
Rick Pataky (East London Community Foundation)
Our thanks to Mal and Karen Campbell of the RNWA, Juliet Chowdhry, Ash Chowdhry from the BPCA, Father Ackroyd from Vine United Reform Church for their help.
Over 400 people attended the barbecue and at least 100 people joined us for the memorial. The event had a rich diversity with people of many faiths, creeds, cultures and other diversities. Over 10 individuals put their names forward for initiating Neighbourhood Watches and we handed out free crime prevention devices to all visitors. Gifts included:
Multifunction Panic alarms with torches
UV pens to label property
Tamper proof stickers for vehicle tax discs
Leaflets on crime prevention
All good removed from vehicle stickers
Over 25 homeless people came and they joined in conversation with other visitors. It was pleasantly surprising, to see how welcoming everyone was to this vulnerable community. One gentleman with bruises on his face talked of the bullying and persecution he is subjected to on a daily basis. All the homeless visitors expressed concerns about theirs safety following the two murders in one year within the Buckingham Road cemetery. It was small solace but we gave all of them panic alarms, which they gratefully received and many of them shed tears of gratitude, which was a really touching moment for all concerned with the organising.
The event was brought to a close at 18:00 and our group returned to their homes tired but exhilarated at having held and participated in a wonderful event that served great purpose.
Finally the moment you have all been waiting for the poem written by Zainab Mahmood (sic):
If you think missing me is hard, then you should try
missing you.
Missing you could turn from pain to pleasure, if I knew
you were missing me too
They say when you are missing someone that they are
probably feeling the same, but I don’t think it’s possible
for you to miss me as much as I’m missing you right
now.
Within you I lose myself….
Without you I find myself
Wanting to be lost again.
Love is missing someone whenever you’re apart,
But some how feeling warm inside because you’re close
in heart.
If I never met you, I wouldn’t like you. If I didn’t like you
I wouldn’t love you. If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t miss
you. But I did, I do, and I will.
Love Zennie
