There is a message that, from today, will remain imprinted in the eyes and consciences of the hundreds of passengers who cross the Strait every day. A message that overcomes barriers of gender, religion and political affiliation: the new hydrofoil terminal in Messina bears the name of Omayma Ben Ghalloum.
The Strait Port System Authority had already completed the structure months ago. Today, in the presence of Omayma’s mother, brother and daughters, that place of departures and landings was officially dedicated to her. A simple gesture, but full of meaning: entrusting the memory of a woman killed by violence to the heart of the city’s hospitality.
It was September 4, 2015. Omayma was 33 years old when she was killed by her husband. The trial evidence told of a woman who wanted to stay in Italy, who worked hard, who sought autonomy and dignity. She was beaten to death. But Omayma was not just the victim of a femicide. She was a cultural mediator, she collaborated with the Police Headquarters during the landings of migrants. She had a high school diploma and spoke four languages. She was the one who brought the money home. She was a tireless, cheerful and friendly worker, a loving mother, a woman with a strong temperament who put her soul and conscience into what she did. Until midnight the day before she was killed she had worked on the docks of the port, at the Marconi pier, alongside those arriving in Italy after desperate journeys.
Those who shared those days with her remember her scruple, her great humanity, her ability to listen and dialogue, especially with minors. He always recommended to young people who had just landed “not to lie, to rely on the truth as the first step towards a new life”. For many she was the first friendly face encountered after despair. It was “the voice of Messina” for the many migrants who arrived at the port.
Art and cinema have also contributed to keeping her story alive: a touching film by Fabio Schifilliti and an intense portrait donated by Lelio Bonaccorso, capable of restoring Omayma’s bright smile.
This morning her memory was at the center of the conference “Women, memory and territory: toponymy as an act of justice”, hosted by the “Jaci-Caio Duilio” institute. A moment of shared reflection on the power of names, on the responsibility of impacting the memory of women in the public space, too often erased or forgotten.
The idea of dedicating a place in the city to her was born, however, ten years ago. A long and complex journey, carried out with determination by Cristiana Laurà for the Port Authority and by Maria Andaloro, founder of the Posto Occupato campaign. The push from the President of the Authority, Francesco Rizzo, was also decisive. And today that dream has become reality.
Representatives of civil, religious and academic institutions, law enforcement agencies, teachers and students took part in the ceremony. An entire community, gathered not only to remember, but to take on a responsibility: transforming pain into commitment.
The school director of the “Jaci-Caio Duilio” Maria Rosaria Sgrò, the rector Giovanna Spatari, the mayor of Messina Federico Basile, the director of the Anti-Crime Office of the Police Headquarters Gabriele Presti, Msgr. took part in the various moments of the morning, which began with the conference and ended with the naming of the terminal. Cesare Di Pietro, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela and Mohamed Refaat, president of the Islamic Cultural Center of Messina, Adalgisa Di Brisco, deputy police commissioner of the State Police, who, side by side with Omayma, was responsible for the reception of migrants at the port of Messina, Maria Rosaria Di Blasi, the director of the Volanti who discovered Omayma’s mangled body in the morning, Maria Serena Maiorana, doctoral student in gender studies and writer of “Without memory we all sink – Starting from Stefania Noce: from private space to public space” and, finally, the teacher Pina Arena with a speech on “The toponymy that educates to equality”.
The unveiling of the plaque at the new hydrofoil terminal is not only a symbolic act, but a public statement. Messina has not forgotten Omayma and has chosen to link its face to hospitality, taking a stand against all forms of violence. Every hydrofoil that sets sail will see that name and be able to learn a story. And an example – that of a free woman, worker, mother, mediator of hopes – will remain there to remind us that memory, when it becomes a public space, can be an act of justice.