TIES Offers Safe Space for Iranians in Calgary to Remember Lost Loved Ones

‍

A safe space to grieve — amidst escalating violence in Iran.

That was the intent of a memorial service for Calgary’s Iranian community hosted by TIES (The Immigrant Education Society).

Voices of Remembrance: A Community Gathering of Reflection and Solidarity with Iranians, was held March 7^th at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church.

“This event is just to make space for Iranian community to get together, to talk about their stories and their lives,” TIES Manager of Mental Health & Family Wellbeing Azita Afsharnejat said.

“The pain of what has happened, and continues to happen, in Iran does not stop at the border. It lives in our homes, and in our hearts here in Calgary.”

‍

‍

Open to everyone, the memorial featured words of remembrance, musical tributes, community reflections, and a moment of shared silence for those who have lost their lives and livelihoods over in Iran.

‍

‍

Afsharnejat is not immune to the feeling of loss. Although she’s been in Canada for 19 years, many of her family members are still in Iran. Like many others, she often goes days without hearing from them.

“It’s overwhelming. This is very devastating for everyone. The internet (in Iran) is cut. The people cannot even connect with their family members to see who is alive. Who is not.”

‍

‍

“We are wanting the community to know that nobody’s alone,” TIES President & CEO Dr. Sally Zhao said.

“Nobody is alone to grieve. Nobody is alone to mourn. We’re all together — standing in solidarity. We support each other and we’re going to heal together.”

‍

A Sister’s Story

‍

‍

Sahar Sohrabzadeh received the devastating news that her brother had lost his life in early January.  A friend called her to let her know Farhad had been shot by a sniper.

He had simply been attending a protest.

“They had no weapon. They weren’t a soldier. They were just innocent people outside — chanting for freedom, for their life, for their own basic rights.”

Suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest, Farhad was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards.

“I couldn’t attend going his funeral, being with my family, mourning with them. I lost all those moments,” she pointed out.

“So, I’m really happy to be in my community, talking about him, talking about courage, freedom. That’s the spirit of the people of Iran. They just want to fight for their freedom.”

‍

‍

Together in Solidarity

‍

‍

The event drew several notable figures in Calgary, including Iranian and Canadian political leaders.

All of the messages focusing on humans — not the conflict.

“I see people from every possible background here — who just needed to be a community, breathe the same air as their neighbours and feel a sense of hope,” Alberta NDP Leader and former Calgary Mayor, Naheed Nenshi said.

“That’s why I’m here.”

Calgary Centre Conservative MP Greg McLean echoed those thoughts.

“At memorial gatherings like these, we are reminded that behind every headline — these are human lives.”

“Recognize what they stood for, the courage they had.”

‍

‍

It’s these sentiments that convinced Rev. Greg Smith to open his heart and church to Iranians in Calgary.

Varsity Acres Presbyterian has been providing a space for the Iranian community to gather and find support over the past several months.  

“As a community of faith, we believe that faith transcends religion,” Smith said.

“Faith is about our shared humanity, our hopes, our sorrows, and our joys. Being a part of this event is about coming together to be a bigger community and letting people know that they are not alone in their pain and their grief.”

‍

‍

Ongoing Support

The memorial was one of many activities being organized by TIES as part of its new initiative: Iranian Family Outreach and Wellness (IFOW).

IFOW was started in response to the rapid growth of the Iranian community in Calgary and the increasing mental health needs being observed.  

The initiative’s goal: to provide culturally responsive programming that promotes healing, connection, and resilience.

‍

‍

Thank you!

IFOW would not be possible without the funding from the Calgary Foundation.

TIES would also like to thank the politicians who attended the memorial event: MP Greg McLean (Conservative, Calgary-Centre), MP Pat Kelly (Conservative, Calgary-Crowfoot), MP Dalwinder Gill (Conservative, Calgary-McKnight) Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, Dr. Luanne Metz (MLA Calgary-Varsity), and MLA Parmeet Singh Boparai (Calgary-Falconridge).

A heartfelt thank you as well to longtime Calgary-Iranian leader Fairborz Birjandian for his heartfelt message.

And a special thank you to the musicians with the Daf Performance and the Santoor Performance.

We also appreciate the coverage from our media partners: CBC Calgary, Global News Calgary, The Calgary Herald, and the crew from Iran International.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/0308-iranian-memorial

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7119923

‍

‍

Media RSVP, Interviews & Inquiries:

Tomasia DaSilva

Media and Relationship Strategist

Email: tomasiadasilva@immigrant-education.ca

Phone: 403-291-0002

‍

‍