We have lived through another week, but not an everyday one filled with pleasant family obligations. Unfortunately, this was not an ordinary week, but the Week of Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide , in which we remembered for the 24th time those who are no longer there, those who became victims of atrocities because of their names and surnames. All the eyes of the world were focused on Potočari, the saddest place in the world, where funerals are held every year.
In many British cities during the Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Week in July, lectures, speeches by survivors, exhibitions, commemorations, workshops and documentary film screenings, classical music concerts, theatre plays, and peaceful walks were organized. In 2019, more than 1,100 events were held in the UK, which were attended by large numbers of people. In addition to the commemorations, the organization “ Sjećanje na Srebrenica ” works in schools across the country and has worked with more than 95,000 children through educational packages on the lessons learned from the Srebrenica genocide and other educational activities.
Each year, the charity “ Remembering Srebrenica ” chooses a theme that reflects an aspect of the genocide that must be commemorated. This year’s theme, “Bridging the Divide – Standing Up to Hate,” aims to inspire all people to challenge those who aim to divide communities and to recognize those who build bridges between communities.
These numerous gatherings were attended by various figures from the world of politics, sports, and art, each with one task: to work on raising awareness, educating people, and building future peace, respect, and tolerance among all people, regardless of origin, nation, religion, gender, or social status.
With the help of the organization ” Remembering Srebrenica ” headed by Dr. Waqar Azmi OBE and with the support of key people from the English government, the memory of Srebrenica was revived. Thanks to the great man dr. Many war stories have been told to Waqar Azmi, the founder of Remembering Srebrenica , the pain and cries of the mothers of Srebrenica have been heard all over the world.
Waqar Azmija was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by Georgetown University, is a former advisor to the British Government and EU Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue.
He points out that Remembering Srebrenica aims to spread awareness about the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, about what hatred brings, and to educate young British people about the atrocities in Srebrenica…
We are sharing a statement that reflects Dr. Waqar Azmi’s comments on this year’s Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Week :
“Today marks the official end of Srebrenica Week of Remembrance with Peace Marches held in Belfast, London, Birmingham and Manchester, with over 1,100 memorial activities taking place across the UK. Thank you to the thousands of people who took part in the memorial activities. Thank you to our champions, 1,200 of them, the regional committees of Remembering Srebrenica and the 3 national committees, all our speakers, the brave mothers of Srebrenica, Fadila Efendić and Ramiza Gurdić, and the survivor from Prijedor, Sudbin Music, and the Vice President of Republika Srpska, Ramiz Salkić, for giving such a powerful speech at the national commemoration in the UK. The incredible Vahida Marić, who was the on-stage interpreter at the national ceremony. Oliver Kamm, the author and columnist for The Times who brilliantly hosted the national ceremony, the Secretary of State, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire and the Minister for Religion, Lord Bourn of Aberystwyth. Our 8 “Champions of the Month” and 3 representatives of the state committee who lit 11 candles at the July 11th commemoration ceremony. And finally, the incredible performers from the National Theatre in Sarajevo, Aida Čorbadžić and Elvir Solak. Thank you to everyone who made Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Week a success. “
Many thanks to Dr. Waqar Azmi for your effort, your efforts and will, the eternal inspiration of the fight against evil and against crime. No man must forget the genocide, nor must he suppress it from his memory. Thank you for your perseverance on the path of unity and struggle for rights and justice, because justice and fairness are the foundations on which the future of all people is built.
Bosnia UK Network and the Bosnian-Herzegovinian community in the UK
