Redbridge to mark Srebrenica Memorial Day

On Monday 11 July, those who lost their lives during the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, will be remembered during a commemorative service on the steps outside Redbridge Town Hall.

The Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Thavathuray Jeyaranjan, will open the service at 1pm on Monday. The Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, will speak alongside Freedom of the Borough recipient and Chairman of the Ilford Islamic Centre Ghanzafer Ali. The commemorative service will then close at 1:20pm, with the Remembering Srebrenica flag being raised and a minute silence held. Srebrenica Memorial Day marks the Srebrenica genocide, which took p lace on 11 July 1995. 

Following World War Two, the United Nations has marked this genocide as the worst atrocity on European Soil, during which over 8,000 Muslim men and boys were massacred because of their faith.

As one of the most diverse boroughs in London, Redbridge has a proud history of advancing equality of opportunity, eliminating unlawful discrimination and harassment and fostering good community relations.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said: “Every year, we gather together to remember more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslims who lost their lives in the Srebrenica genocide of July 1995. The atrocities in Srebrenica are a stark reminder of where unchecked hatred, discrimination and division can lead humanity. 

"We all have a responsibility to challenge hatred and discrimination when we see it, and we must all work together continuously, to make sure that our own communities are welcoming and inclusive. In Redbridge, our diversity is our strength, and we must neither forget that nor take it for granted.

"On behalf of the London Borough of Redbridge, I would like to invite our community to join us on Monday afternoon in marking Srebrenica Memorial Day and commemorating those who lost their lives.”