Manchester faiths groups raise money for Srebrenica

Different faith groups came together in Manchester to raise money to help remember the Srebrenica genocide.

Organised by the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester and a Faith Network for the city, the event saw over 40 people raise £200 for Remembering Srebrenica Charity.

The event was attended by MEPs Afzal Khan and Julie Ward, who spoke about their involvement in genocide memorial in the EU Parliament.

Local councillors who are on the Muslim Jewish Forum Executive committee spoke about their experience visiting Bosnia, where the mass murder took place 21 years ago.

Survivor, Dudia Zilic also described her experience of the Bosnian War, during which the genocide took place. Over 8,000 Muslim mainly men and boys were murdered by the Bosnian Serbs.

MJF Forum Executive member June Rosen said “this was an inspirational evening to hear from people of all faiths who have done so much to remember the horrors of Srebrenica and also to help those who found sanctuary in Manchester. To hear Dudia speak of her experience was to renew one’s belief in the power of the human spirit and all that is good and hopeful for the future.”

Cllr Rabnawaz Akbar added that  ” the event was an extremely emotional evening which not only remembered and paid tributes to the victim of a terrible crime but strengthened our resolve and collective commitment and responsibility to ensure that such horrific crimes never take place again. I would encourage those who have not visited Bosnia to try and arrange to go on a trip organised by the Remembering Srebrenica initiative so that we can learn lessons of the country’s grim past to tackle hatred and prejudice in our communities and to help in building a safer and more cohesive society”

The event took place on 27 July at the Manchester Multifaith Centre.