Upholding Dharma on the 31st Srebrenica Memorial: Why the Bradford Hindu Council Answers the Call to “We Are Here”
As Hindus, one of our most profound guiding principles is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The beautiful spiritual truth that the entire world is one interconnected family. When any part of our global or local family suffers, it becomes our spiritual and civic duty to stand alongside them.
Prejudice, discrimination, and genocide do not begin with violence; they begin with divisive words, unchecked racism, and the dangerous normalization of “us versus them.”
For our Hindu community here in Bradford, actively participating in Srebrenica Memorial Day is a vital practice of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Dharma (righteous duty), ensuring our wonderfully diverse district remains a safe, welcoming, and cohesive home for every single resident.
Our collective day of reflection began under the open skies of Centenary Square for the solemn raising of the Srebrenica flag. Watching the flag ascend served as a visible, city-wide promise that Bradford will never look away from the painful lessons of history. It was around this very flagpole that the true strength of Bradford’s diversity shone brightest.
Representing our community, Bradford Hindu Council Chair Deepak Sharma stood proudly in solidarity with a distinguished group of multi-faith and community leaders, including Ishtiaq Ahmed, Nigel Guy MBE, and Jenny Ramsden. For the BHC, this multi-faith presence is essential; by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our neighbours of all backgrounds, we demonstrate that when any community remembers its deep wounds, the Hindu community will always be there to support them.
Following the flag raising, we moved together into the historic Bradford Town Hall for the main civic ceremony, where the heavy weight of history filled the room. This year marks the 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, where over 8,372 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were systematically murdered in July 1995 simply because of their faith and identity, an event that remains the worst atrocity committed on European soil since the Second World War.
Throughout the hall, attendees wore the poignant 11-petaled Srebrenica flower, hand-crafted by the Mothers of Srebrenica. Its design carries a universal message of human dignity that resonates with us all: the white petals represent the innocence of the victims, the green centre represents hope for a future without hatred, and the 11 petals signify the 11th of July, the day the genocide commenced.
This history directly informed the national theme for this 31st memorial, “We Are Here,” which served as the core message of our remembrance. It is a powerful declaration of survival and resilience, honouring the voices of the survivors who endured unimaginable trauma but continue to live with immense dignity and courage.
Furthermore, “We Are Here” is a gentle but firm call to action for all of us in the UK, reminding us that true remembrance cannot be passive. To stand genuinely with survivors means committing ourselves, visibly and courageously, to confronting hatred and prejudice in our daily lives before it can ever take root.
Inside the hall, the civic event flowed beautifully, expertly hosted by Mahmood Mohammed from Bradford City Council’s Stronger Communities team, who kept the focus on education and unity. We listened to a moving keynote address from Sabiya Parvez, Chair of Remembering Srebrenica Yorkshire and Humber, who emphasized the critical need to preserve survivor testimonies so that future generations are protected against prejudice.
Charles Dacres from the Bradford Hate Crime Alliance challenged everyone in the room constructively, highlighting the ongoing, daily local work required to dismantle modern discrimination across the Bradford district.
The most touching moment of the morning belonged to the children from Eden School. They brought an atmosphere of pure hope to the hall, reading heartfelt poems and lighting candles in a quiet, powerful tribute to the lives lost, reminding us all that the next generation is watching and learning from the examples of unity we set today.
To bring this deeply moving gathering to a close, a memorial wreath was laid as a final act of collective tribute. This gesture symbolized our enduring respect for those who were lost, sealing Bradford’s shared pledge to carry the lessons of Srebrenica forward.
The Bradford Hindu Council remains entirely committed to building these vital bridges of understanding, carrying forward the reminder that peace is not just the absence of conflict, it is something we must actively and lovingly build together every single day.
