In UK the week from 4th to 11th July is dedicated as Srebrenica Memorial Week to remember the victims of the genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Srebrenica Memorial Day is observed on 11th July.
This year marks the 27th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, in which over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were murdered. This was the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. The Bosnian Muslim men and boys were murdered simply because of their Muslim identity.
On the 27th anniversary of Srebrenica Memorial Day, we honour the victims and survivors of the genocide. We learn from Srebrenica, that hatred and intolerance can flourish if left unchallenged.
As an organisation we believe that we must ensure that we never forget about the genocide and reaffirm our commitment to standing up against hatred, intolerance and prejudice.
This year’s Srebrenica Memorial Day Theme is ‘Combatting Denial: Confronting Hatred’. Despite the unequivocal fact that genocide was committed, denial of the Srebrenica genocide as well as the crimes against humanity committed across Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 to 1995 remains prevalent. Denial brings not only more pain and suffering for the survivors who live in the UK and elsewhere but serves as a rallying call to continue the division and hatred as well as to glorify the murderers. In the UK, communities are only too aware of the damaging impact that denial can have for individuals and community cohesion. Divisive propaganda and misinformation are thriving, and clear and established facts are denied and manipulated, frequently resulting in minority communities being scapegoated and vilified to create mistrust and promote hatred that threatens community cohesion. This year’s twin-aimed theme, therefore, seeks to shine a light on the importance of combatting denial and the need to confront the hatred behind the denial.
We therefore remember and honour the memory of the victims and pledge to work towards building a more cohesive, stronger and safer society free from hatred, discrimination and prejudice
The Srebrenica Prayer
We pray to Almighty God,
May grievance become hope.
May Revenge become justice.
May mother’s tears become prayers.
That Srebrenica never happens again.
To no one, nowhere.
What happened?
http://www.srebrenica.org.uk/what-happened/
With salams and duas,
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat