Next month marks the anniversary of the Grenfell fire. A horrific wound that seeps in the heart of London, since the lives of hundreds were lost last Ramadan. The Grenfell fire which broke out on the 14th June 2017, after a block of flats went up in flames in North Kensington was later investigated as occurring as a result of cheap cladding scaling the outside of the building. It has come to light that this was as a result of negligence from the council and state. Community workers, local charities, and campaigners banded together at the Aklam centre, Nottinghill Methodist church, and Al- Manar mosque to organise donations, food, and shelter for the survivors. Ever since, members of the community have set up a number of services and organisations providing support and aid to survivors, who were forced to live uncomfortably in hotels for months after the trauma.

Enquiry launched

On September 14th of 2017, a full enquiry was launched examining the causes of the fire. However, it faced a lot of backlash due to the choice of the leadership of the enquiry, where survivors and family members of victims strongly objected. Sir Martin Bick Moore was originally appointed by prime minister Theresa May to be the chairman of the public Grenfell  Tower public enquiry,

he said, “I would hope to be able to answer the basic factual questions such as how did the fire start, how did it spread, how was it able to engulf the building in such speed and also questions such as what internal precautions there were, what steps were available for alerting residents and allowing them to escape.” Most recently, after criticism for the enquiry being void of having a wide ‘scope.’ Survivors felt that more should be investigated surrounding the social and political conditions which lead to the fire, Moore-Bick May said, “it was not suitable for a judge-led inquiry.”

Since, campaigners have won the argument over expanding the enquiry panel to make it more inclusive. Theresa May announced last week that two experts would sit with the judge investigating the fire.Media outlets continue to report that 71 bodies were found, however, the ratio of the number of bodies found, to the capacity that the block of flats accommodates for, vs the number of survivors, shows numbers are not adding up. There has also been a radio silence from the British government for almost a year,  to which many artists, activists and public personalities have not held back in calling out online, using their platforms.

More recently, campaigners gathered on the 14th May 2018 outside of parliament, to protest, to demand more accountability and answers. Our prayers are with survivors, the families of the victims, and with all those affected by the fire. May Allah bring healing this Ramadan.

Here is how Twitter commemorated the fire:

https://twitter.com/AyoOlatunji96/status/995979314695950336

Rest in Peace Khadija Saye and all those who lost their lives in Grenfell Tower. There is an important debate in Parliament today focusing on how we ensure that we get justice for those who lost their lives, their families and the survivors. https://t.co/lAg7PIZS1s

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) May 14, 2018

https://twitter.com/ashindestad/status/996169292092723203

https://twitter.com/Liam_O_Hare/status/995788264769556480

Today MPs debate in Parliament, send this tweet to your MP because these 71 deaths were avoidable. Grenfell MUST never be forgotten. 💚 Supporters will be rallying outside Parliament at 3-6pm come & show us support. 💚 #grenfell The lives of Grenfell Tower https://t.co/Jsf70Wubwr

— Grenfell United (@GrenfellUnited) May 14, 2018

https://twitter.com/BADDEST_TEEKS/status/995591952782503937

https://twitter.com/BADDEST_TEEKS/status/995661151999578112

https://twitter.com/BADDEST_TEEKS/status/995592156197900289

https://twitter.com/benmckenna/status/995294498942083072

A picture speaks a thousand words. Justice for Grenfell. pic.twitter.com/GbqXgqx8No

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) May 11, 2018

In memory of artist Khadija-Saye, rising star, never forgotten #Grenfell
#womensart pic.twitter.com/S3TTEzhqmS

— #WOMENSART (@womensart1) May 11, 2018