BH UK Network organized an official visit of the recently appointed Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, H.E. Osman Topčagić, to the authorities of Birmingham, one of the largest local authorities in Europe.
The Ambassador met with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Chaman Lal, Leader of Birmingham City Council John Cotton, Deputy Leader Councillor Sharon Thompson, Councillor Martin Brooks OBE, Head of European and International Affairs Lloyd Broad.
During the visit, the delegations discussed opportunities for improving economic and cultural cooperation. The visit was also an excellent opportunity to thank the leader of Birmingham City Council, John Cotton, and his associates for their long-standing support and the purchase of the building that will be the new Bosnian Center.
Birmingham City Council Leader Cllr John Cotton said: “I am proud that Birmingham provided refuge to the Bosnian people during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina as they faced the only genocide on European soil since the Second World War. Now, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Network UK, BH UK Network, provides support not only to fellow Bosnians but also to people from all over the world, including Syria and Ukraine. I had the privilege of visiting the new Bosanska House to see for myself their outstanding work, which will go from strength to strength in the new premises.”
The delegation visited the Library of Birmingham, which is the largest public library in Europe, housing a collection of 800,000 books, as well as archives and photographs. During Srebrenica Remembrance Week, the library was lit up in green and white to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide.
Ambassador Topčagić also visited the University of Birmingham. The university has over 37,000 students and is one of the largest in the United Kingdom. The University’s kind staff organised a viewing of the Birmingham Quran manuscripts, which contain parts of Surahs 18-20 of the Islamic holy book, written on parchment in an early form of Arabic script known as Ḥijāzi. The manuscript dates back to the first century of Islam, close to the life of the Prophet Muhammad (c. 570-632) and the reigns of the first three caliphs.
Ambassador Osman Topčagić said: “During my visit to Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK, with 1.2 million inhabitants and a significant economic, educational and cultural centre, I had discussions with the Mayor and leaders of the City Council, and also visited the University of Birmingham. This was a very informative and useful visit and an opportunity to discuss concrete cooperation in education and the economy. The visit was prepared and the talks were attended by representatives of the Bosnia UK Network, as well as Dr Waqar Azmi, patron of the BH UK Network and founder of the organization Remembering Srebrenica, Cll Martin Brooks OBE and long-time member of the British Parliament Richard Burden. I would like to thank all of them, as well as the hosts, with the hope that this cooperation will continue and lead to concrete results for mutual benefit.”
BH UK Network says that the BiH community plays an important role in connecting our homeland of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Great Britain. In the coming weeks we expect to organize meetings with the West Midlands regional authorities. After that, the focus of BH UK Network activities will be the celebration of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Independence Day in the Parliament of Great Britain.
In addition to Ambassador Topčagić, the delegation included Dr. Anes Cerić, Zaim Pašić, Emir Bolić and Mirza Gazibegović.
BH UK Network
