A dinner was organized yesterday evening at the Bosnian House in Birmingham for the staff and volunteers of the charity “Remembering Srebrenica” as a token of gratitude for their work and contribution to ensuring that the genocide in Srebrenica is not forgotten.
A dinner with a variety of dishes was prepared for the guests, including traditional Bosnian and Herzegovina dishes. The guests were delighted with the welcome and delicious dishes, which were prepared by our hardworking hostesses from Birmingham and Coventry. The table was filled with various specialties that the hostesses prepared with a lot of love and gratitude. 
The evening was attended by members of various communities in the central part of Great Britain, including the Mayor of Birmingham Mohammed Azim; the BH Ambassador to London , H.E. Vanja Filipović ; Dr Waqar Azmi OBE, founder of “Remembering Srebrenica”; Military Attaché Nedžad Sadiković ; representatives of the British Army and Air Force, British police, representatives from the British Parliament and many others. 
During the dinner, the Mural in the Bosnian house was unveiled, as a result of the cooperation between the Bosnia UK Network and the Celebrating Sanctuary organization. The mural was painted by the outstanding artist David Thomas Barry with the help of Birmingham artist Shaheen Ahmed, who got the idea and inspiration for the mural after a workshop with the students of the BiH secondary school in Birmingham.
On behalf of the host, BH UK Network, Dr. Anes Cerić extended a warm welcome to the guests and thanked them for the organization’s continued work in contributing to the development of a better, safer and more tolerant society. “We have gathered at the Bosnian House, the center of the BH UK Network, to celebrate peace, our differences and unite positive energy to create a better world for future generations. On behalf of all Bosnians and Herzegovinians in the United Kingdom, we thank the staff and hardworking volunteers of the charity “ Remembering Srebrenica ”, said Dr. Cerić. 
The president of BH UK Network, Zaim Pašić, also addressed the audience with words of thanks; “Thank you to the staff and volunteers of the “Remembering Srebrenica” organization for all their efforts so that the truth about the genocide in Srebrenica is not forgotten. I want to tell you that our BiH community stands behind your work and we support all activities such as the adoption of a single Resolution on the Genocide in Strebrenica in the United Nations. I will take the opportunity to tell you that I lived with my family in the war in Sarajevo where I was wounded, my wife Zumreta was wounded, my brother was killed by a shell. During after the genocide in Srebrenica, I was receiving treatment in London and I watched the suffering of my compatriots with great sadness, but I found the strength to fight for my community and that we care that Srebrenica is never forgotten or that it happens anywhere in the world, and that those who committed the Genocide and all crimes are held accountable before the law. I am glad to see that your volunteer champions are becoming our friends, friends of the BiH community in Great Britain.”
Mayor Azim said: “This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. We can learn important lessons from the Bosnian war. I am aware that Bosnians and Herzegovinans have suffered a lot and that it was difficult to start over in the UK. But I can proudly say that Birmingham is a great city, a city with different cultures and communities that help each other. I am sure that the Bosnian community is already playing a great role in the future of Birmingham. Thank you for inviting me, it was a privilege and an honour to share this event with you.” 
His Excellency, Vanja Filipović , Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Kingdom also addressed the audience. “I am honoured to be present at Bosnian House, at this significant event which demonstrates how strong the Bosnian community in the UK is. Thank you for the wonderful welcome and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the “Remembering Srebrenica” organisation for doing everything possible to preserve the memories of those who are no longer with us because of their different identities. Unfortunately, we still face hatred, intolerance and division. But, having lived together in Bosnia and Herzegovina for centuries, we will strive to keep it that way. Wherever Bosnians and Herzegovinians go in the world, we integrate well with local communities, work hard and leave a mark. Thank you to the “Remembering Srebrenica” organisation for creating stronger ties between Bosnia and Great Britain.”
Dr Waqar Azmi OBE, founder of the “Remembering Srebrenica” organization, also addressed the guests. He explained the importance of their work and stated that they will continue to strive not to forget the victims and survivors who must continue to live. “Thank you to the Bosnian community in Birmingham and the Bosnia UK Network for the wonderful hospitality. We were all honored with a delicious dinner from the organization. The organization’s goal is to commemorate and educate. Our mission is to empower young people from the Bosnian community so that they and their community can influence government policy that will be on the side of truth and that will benefit everyone, not just individuals. Let’s not let the darkness of the past destroy your and our self-confidence,” said Dr Azmi.
The organization “Remembering Srebrenica” was founded in 2013 and is based in Birmingham, UK. So far, they have managed to educate more than 90,000 young British people about the Srebrenica genocide, organized over 6,200 events to commemorate the victims of the genocide. They have also organized 1,200 British people to visit the Potočari memorial center. 
On this festive occasion, awards were also presented to all those who dedicated their free time to telling the truth and educating others about the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina and helping the victims of genocide. The awards were presented to; Amra Mujkanović , Healing Hands Network , BH Association Coventry , BH Association Birmingham , Aida Salkić Houghton and the Bosnian Cultural Center Midlands . Awards were also prepared for Lynette Kelly and Emir Bolić , but unfortunately they could not attend due to prior commitments.
The event recognized the tireless efforts and dedication of all those who dedicate so much time to raising awareness about Srebrenica and using the lessons of the genocide to work to promote cohesion and combat hatred and intolerance in their communities.
The dinner was spent in a pleasant atmosphere with lots of laughter and good mood, and the fact that the plates were empty shows how delicious and beautifully arranged the food was. The atmosphere of the evening was greatly enriched by our youth and traditional music. KUD “Mladost Bosne” amazed everyone present with the performance of traditional rounds under the watchful eye of our choreographer Fahira Hasedžić.
We sincerely thank the wonderful ladies who responded and contributed to the dinner and gathering taking place in a wonderful homely atmosphere.
BH UK Network
