Moroccan-Belgian Activist To Organize March in Tribute of Victims of Racist Attacks

Rabat – The Habiba and Ahmed foundation will organize on Saturday, May 7 a commemorative march in honor of the tragedy of the Belgian-Moroccan couple, victims of a racist murder, that date back to May 2002 in Schaerbeek.

The organizers aspire that the event serves as an opportunity to pay tribute to all victims of racist murders, so that such crimes never happen again.

“We will make sure that this moment of commemoration is a commitment for more peace, recognition and mutual respect,” repeated Kenza Isnasni, the foundation, creator and the eldest and only-surviving daughter of the killed couple.

The event will take place from 11:30 to 15:30 (GMT+2). The walk will go from 121 Rue de Vanderlinden to Josaphat’s park in Schaerbeek, Brussels.

During this silent march, the dress code is white as it refers to peace and unity and everyone will bring portraits of his/her lost loved ones to honor them on this symbolic day.

The commemorative event is open to the public. The march is accompanied by a social media campaign titled #RDV7MAI2022. “Let our departure not be in vain and let the future be one of harmony among all citizens freed from dangerous murderous ideas,” Isnasni said.

The tragic racist murder goes back to the night of May 6, 2002, when Hendrik Vyt (82) had stormed the apartment of his neighbors and opened fire, killing Moroccan-Belgian couple Habiba El Hajji (46) and her husband Ahmed Isnasni (47) in the neighborhood of Schaerbeek.

The murderer was a far-right militant of the Vlaams Blok political party, which has since been renamed.

“My parents will never be reduced to victims of racism,”Isnasni said, emphasizing that Vyt is dead and that there couldn’t be a trial.

Moreover, a citizen’s desire for a healthier, fairer, and more inclusive society, is the willingness of this walk, she highlighted.

After several postponements due to health restrictions, Kenza in June 2021 created the foundation bearing her parents’ names “Habiba Ahmed Foundation”.

“We will make sure that this moment of commemoration is a commitment for more peace, recognition and mutual respect,” repeated Kenza .

Despite a vast legal framework against racism, Belgium still counts hundreds of cases of racial discrimination.