Candles were lit and flowers laid in the memory of the dead during the remembrance at Aspire Park yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma
By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff ReporterScores of Doha residents yesterday gathered at Aspire Park to remember those killed in a fire on May 28 last year at the Villaggio Mall. A total of 19 people, including 13 children, four nursery teachers and two fire-fighters, had lost their lives in the tragedy.At the remembrance yesterday, many participants - mainly Western expatriates - were seen hugging each other and holding hands to express solidarity with the affected families. Colourful balloons were released even as a bell chimed intermittently.Nineteen candles - labelled with the names of the deceased - were placed by the huge billboard within the park. A number of participants placed flowers and lit candles next to the board.An inscription pinned alongside the candles and flowers read “We will always remember 28 May 2012, such a sad day…RIP (rest in peace) little angels”.Lilac purple ribbons were handed out to members of the gathering by a participant, who explained that the colour signified bravery and courage.In a joint statement issued earlier yesterday, the families of the 13 children said they were still waiting for justice. Despite their numerous requests, and those from their respective governments, they were yet to receive the official report of the investigation.The statement said, “It has been twelve long months since the death of our beautiful children. Our lives have been turned upside down. Not one minute goes by without us all thinking about our babies. Birthdays and/or other family occasions have passed and each day is as hard as the previous day. And yet we wait. We wait for answers. We wait for justice.“We still do not know what actually happened and how it happened. As families, we are now spread around the world and we understand that as time passes, memories fade. Today, we ask you to pause and remember.” The families expressed gratitude to the Doha community for its support, saying: “It is touching that so many people visited Aspire Park to share their memories and also to ensure that people do not forget.”“We, as a group of grieving parents, are committed to ensuring that our children’s memories continue forever. We are committed to fight for justice. And we are committed to make Qatar a safer place,” the statement added.Some of the participants, who spoke to journalists on the sidelines, said they were taking part as friends of some of the affected families and hoped that justice would be delivered in the end.“We were completely shocked and devastated when we heard about the fire and the fact that Jane (mother of the Weekes triplets) had lost all of her three children...we knew the family as we all belonged to the same playgroup, which was just an independent group. We used to host each other and our children in our houses with each family taking turns,” one participant said.Another expatriate, who helped co-ordinate members of her group to take part in the event yesterday, said: “It’s nice to see everybody here and it shows that people haven’t forgotten (the incident). I think it is important for the families who are still waiting for answers and who still want to know why everything happened.”“We all have kids and wonder if it is still safe for our kids and us to be here, and we are hoping to find out if justice will be served within the coming month,” she added.Villaggio Mall had earlier circulated a memo to tenants, requesting them not to play music in their shops yesterday “as a mark of respect” for the anniversary, Doha News reported.The mall also did not remove, unlike last year, the tributes placed near the area of the fire to honour the victims.1 A woman being consoled at the remembrance.2 Participants releasing balloons3 Scores of residents gathered to pay homage to the victims.