Habiba El-Hajji et Ahmet Isnasni – Habiba El-Hajji en Ahmet Isnasni Plaque

“A family’s life, shattered by hate.” That chilling phrase captures the essence of the Habiba El-Hajji et Ahmet Isnasni Plaque. This memorial, right here before us, stands as a stark reminder of a horrific tragedy. It commemorates the lives of Habiba El-Hajji and Ahmet Isnasni, brutally murdered in their own home on the night of May 7, 2002. The Habiba El-Hajji et Ahmet Isnasni Plaque isn’t just a piece of metal. It’s a testament to the enduring impact of hate and the importance of remembrance. Their neighbor, Hendrik Vyt, a man affiliated with the far-right, broke into their apartment and opened fire. He killed Habiba and Ahmet, leaving their five children to witness the unimaginable. Two of the children, Yassine and Walid, were seriously wounded in the attack. Vyt perished in the fire he started after the murders. The Habiba El-Hajji et Ahmet Isnasni Plaque serves as a symbol of the family’s loss and the community’s struggle for justice. The authorities initially dismissed the murders as a simple “neighborhood dispute”. This dismissal ignored the clear evidence of Vyt’s extremist views and history of hateful actions. Kenza Isnasni, one of the surviving children, has dedicated herself to preserving her parents’ memory and seeking justice for their deaths. Through the Habiba Ahmed Foundation, she shares their story and advocates for peace and understanding. She has been fighting to rename a part of Vanderlinden Street to “Habiba Ahmed Street” as a tribute to her parents and the generation of immigrant parents who came to Belgium for a better future. The Habiba El-Hajji et Ahmet Isnasni Plaque embodies the foundation’s keywords: “memory, transmission, and peace.” It is a call for us to remember the victims, transmit their story, and work towards a more peaceful future.