Altab Ali Park

A Place of Memory and Resistance

Altab Ali Park is more than just a green space; it is a living memorial to Altab Ali, a 24-year-old Bangladeshi textile worker murdered in a racist attack in 1978. His death sparked mass mobilization and became a rallying point for the Bengali community and anti-racist activists in East London. The park’s renaming in 1998 was a direct response to community demands, transforming the former St Mary’s Gardens into a site of remembrance and resilience. The annual Altab Ali Day vigil on May 4th continues to draw hundreds in solidarity against racism and extremism.

Monuments and Meaning

The park’s entrance is marked by a wrought-iron arch designed by Welsh artist David Petersen, blending Bengali and European motifs to symbolize cultural fusion. This arch commemorates Altab Ali and all victims of racist violence. In the southwest corner stands the Shaheed Minar, a replica of the monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh, honoring those who died in the 1952 Bengali Language Movement. The monument is the focal point for annual ceremonies on February 21, celebrating linguistic and cultural heritage.

Layers of History

Beneath its modern significance, the park sits on the site of the 14th-century St Mary Matfelon Church, the origin of Whitechapel’s name. The church was destroyed during the Blitz, and the area became a public garden. The park’s redesign by muf architecture/art weaves together these historical threads, presenting a collage of Christian, Bengali, and London’s broader social history. The landscape intentionally highlights diversity and complexity, refusing to smooth over differences.

Community and Culture

Altab Ali Park is a hub for community gatherings, political rallies, and cultural events. It is the only park in Tower Hamlets named after a local Bengali resident, reflecting the area’s rich multicultural identity. The park’s design and monuments serve as a constant reminder of the struggles and triumphs of the Bengali community, fostering a sense of belonging and pride for residents and visitors alike.