On Sunday, December 3rd, the commemorative event “The Table of Love & Loss” will be held again at the East Ham Town Hall in East London. In its second year, this one-day event is open to the public and aims to provide solidarity and hope to families who have lost loved ones in tragic circumstances. It also seeks to inform the broader community about individual cases and the challenges faced by victims’ families.
The event, named “The Table of Love & Loss,” was initiated by Ayşe Hussein in 2022 and is accepted as the legacy of her cousin Mihrican ‘Jan’ Mustafa. Jan, a 38-year-old mother of three, went missing in May 2018. A year later, Jan’s body was found in a property linked to a sexual offender in Canning Town, along with another woman, Henriett Szucs. Both women had been brutally murdered.
As someone who experienced this trauma, Ayşe Hussein aimed to bring together families who have lost loved ones in tragic circumstances, provide support, and guide them to the best resources by creating this commemorative event.
Last year’s event, supported by the Newham Council and other major organizations, featured tables set up by families and friends in memory of the victims, along with information from NGOs, the police, and local and regional authorities. Due to its success, a second event is planned at the same venue.
The 2023 “The Table of Love & Loss” event will be a free informational event for families who have lost loved ones. Various expert organizations focusing on topics such as domestic violence, mental health crises, suicide, honor-based violence, stalking, murder, road rage, knife crime, drugs and alcohol, missing persons, support for elderly families, modern slavery, and forced marriage will be present at the event.
Representatives from the London Victims’ Communication Plan and the Metropolitan Police will also participate. Guest speakers include Anjum Mouj from the London Black Women’s Project, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE – Mayor of Newham, Detective Sergeant Isla Edwards (MPS Special Crime South), Lejla Dauti, who helps elevate the stories of trafficking victims, and young mentor and spoken word artist Quinton Milise.
Event Details:
– “The Table of Love & Loss”
– Date: Sunday, December 3, 2023
– Time: 13:00 – 16:30
– Venue: East Ham Town Hall, 328 Barking Road, London E6 2RP
– Transportation: The nearest subway station is East Ham (District Line), and the area is well-served by local buses. Free street parking is available in nearby side streets.
– Admission: Free. No prior registration or tickets are required.
– A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter will be available during the event.
Participants are informed that there will be filming and photography during the event.