Calgary's Iranian Community Gathers to Honor Lives Lost in Recent Iranian Unrest
In a powerful display of solidarity and shared humanity, several hundred members of Calgary's Iranian community came together on Saturday, March 7, 2026, to remember loved ones lost during escalating conflict in the Middle East. The memorial event, organized by The Immigrant Education Society (TIES), took place at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, creating a space for collective mourning and support.
A Community's Response to Distant Tragedy
Azita Afsharnejat, manager of mental health and family well-being for TIES, explained the profound need for such a gathering. "Our Iranian community here, they didn't have a chance to mourn with their families," she said. "We have some families here who lost their loved ones but couldn't go back to their home country."
The memorial specifically honored those killed during protests against the Iranian government in early January 2026. Afsharnejat described how protesters were shot while asking for basic necessities, with the exact death toll remaining unclear due to internet shutdowns by Iranian authorities following the unrest. Estimates suggest fatalities reached tens of thousands.
Personal Connections to Distant Conflict
For Afsharnejat, who moved to Calgary 19 years ago, the memorial held deep personal significance. She emphasized that while international attention often focuses on major conflicts, the decades of unrest in Iran have received less global notice. "When war happens in the world, everybody gets the news," she noted. "But before that, what was happening in Iran—nobody got that news."
Her own family experienced the violence firsthand, with one relative shot during protests and losing an arm, though thankfully surviving the attack.
Individual Stories of Loss and Resilience
The memorial gave voice to personal tragedies, including that of Sahar Ohrabzadeh, who lost her brother Farhad in the protests. Ohrabzadeh, who has lived in Calgary for 12 years, received a devastating call the day after protests from a friend informing her that Farhad had been shot by a sniper.
"He was outside by his own willing, to be one of those protesters for their freedom," she shared. "They had no weapon. They weren't soldiers. They were just innocent people outside, walking by other people, and chanting for freedom, for their life, or their own basic rights."
Ohrabzadeh described her brother as the youngest sibling in their family—a brave, independent person who felt a responsibility to fight for freedom despite family attempts to dissuade him from attending protests. She last saw him while visiting Iran in summer 2025.
The Healing Power of Community
The memorial served multiple purposes beyond remembrance. Afsharnejat explained that it allowed the community to come together and ensured that those unable to travel home to be with families wouldn't have to grieve alone. Photos of those killed during the recent violence were displayed throughout the church, creating visual connections to the lives being honored.
This gathering highlighted how immigrant communities maintain deep connections to their homelands while building new lives abroad. As Afsharnejat reflected, "Our families are there. Every day, we talk to our families. We know what is going on." The memorial provided a crucial space for processing this ongoing connection to distant events that continue to shape lives in Calgary.
The event demonstrated how local organizations like TIES play vital roles in supporting immigrant communities through international crises, helping bridge geographical distances with emotional and practical support during times of collective trauma.
