Monday marks one year since a devastating building fire in the Fordham neighborhood of The Bronx tore through the hearts of people across our city and across the ocean in Africa.

A religious leader of many of the victims has had a heavy burden to bear over the last year.

“We miss our sisters and brothers, we miss our sons and our daughters, said Imam Musa Kabba. “I miss my students who used to be with me in this Masjid here every Saturday and Sunday. I remember them. I can forget never in my life.”

Kabba is the Imam at Masjid ar Rahamah on Webster Avenue, a short walk from where the fire took place on Jan. 9 last year at the Twin Parks North West apartment complex.

Seventeen people were killed in the smokey blaze. The nine adults and eight children who died were all from West African families.

Kabba has leaned on his Muslim faith for strength over the last year. It teaches not to question Allah over deaths of loved ones, but to be thankful they are now with him.

It was difficult at times for Kabba not to show emotions.

“It was hard on me. If it is not my religion, it would damage me so much. But every time I come to be different, I have to go back to the Koran, I have to put my mind on Allah,” he said.　

Along with the victims, Kabba also misses the many families that moved to other neighbors after the fire. He says there is a reduction in the membership at the mosque during daily prayers.

As many will mark the first anniversary of the deadly blaze and remember those who perished, Kabba says normally memorials are not something Muslims do.

“Every time you do that, you are renewing the sadness. You are bringing sadness back to the family, trying to remind them. And our prophet Muhammad prevents us from doing that,” explained Kabba.

But the religious leader understands memorials are a way many Americans honor the dead and he expresses his thanks to everyone who has helped after the tragedy.

He believes Allah brought good people to support his community during a difficult time.