ELM supports Tower Hamlets Srebrenica memorial calling for justice, peace and unity East London Mosque joined civic, community and interfaith partners at Tower Hamlets Town Hall on Wednesday 8 July 2026 for the borough’s annual Remembering Srebrenica memorial, honouring the victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide and reaffirming a shared commitment to justice, peace and standing against hatred. The event, hosted by Junaid Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of East London Mosque, brought together local residents, faith representatives, community leaders and young people for an important act of remembrance and solidarity. Attendees remembered the more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys who were murdered in and around Srebrenica in July 1995. The memorial also reflected on the responsibility of communities today to challenge hatred, protect human dignity and ensure such atrocities are never forgotten. The programme opened with a welcome from Junaid Ahmed, followed by a contribution from Cllr Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Homebuilding and Enhancing Council Homes and Neighbourhoods, who spoke on building a cohesive and resilient Tower Hamlets. Kiran Vagarwal, Director of Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement, addressed the theme of moving from remembrance to action, highlighting the importance of practical steps to challenge hatred and strengthen safety, trust and cohesion across the borough. The event was attended by H.E. Osman Topčagić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Kingdom, who spoke on international recognition of genocide and stories of resilience. The programme also included a powerful presentation from writer, travel writer and historian Tharik Hussain, whose reflections reminded attendees of the importance of memory, identity and confronting hatred through education and truth. Young people from Swanlea Secondary School shared their reflections, adding a deeply meaningful dimension to the event. Their presence highlighted the importance of passing remembrance on to the next generation and empowering young people to become voices for peace, justice and understanding. The Tower Hamlets Inter-Faith Forum was represented by Mother Bernadette Hegarty, Vicar of St Paul’s Church, Bow Common, who reflected on shared values and the importance of building stronger communities across faiths and backgrounds. A special presentation was also made to the young people from Swanlea Secondary School by Cllr Saied Ahmed and H.E. Osman Topčagić, recognising their participation and the importance of young voices in carrying forward the message of remembrance, justice and peace. “Srebrenica reminds us of the devastating consequences of hatred when it is left unchallenged. Remembrance must move us beyond sympathy towards responsibility. We must defend human dignity, to stand with those who suffer injustice, and to build communities rooted in peace, respect and compassion. “We are proud to support Tower Hamlets’ No Place for Hate message and to work with partners across the borough so that people of all faiths and backgrounds can stand together against racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.” – Junaid Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, East London Mosque. East London Mosque continues to support the No Place for Hate message in Tower Hamlets, working with partners to strengthen community cohesion, challenge prejudice and promote a borough where all residents feel valued, protected and respected. The Mosque’s participation in the memorial reflects its wider commitment to civic engagement, interfaith partnership and standing for justice and peace across communities. We remember. We stand together. We are here. Manage Cookie Preferences
East London Mosque joined civic, community and interfaith partners at Tower Hamlets Town Hall on Wednesday 8 July 2026 for the borough’s annual Remembering Srebrenica memorial, honouring the victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide and reaffirming a shared commitment to justice, peace and standing against hatred. The event, hosted by Junaid Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of East London Mosque, brought together local residents, faith representatives, community leaders and young people for an important act of remembrance and solidarity. Attendees remembered the more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys who were murdered in and around Srebrenica in July 1995. The memorial also reflected on the responsibility of communities today to challenge hatred, protect human dignity and ensure such atrocities are never forgotten. The programme opened with a welcome from Junaid Ahmed, followed by a contribution from Cllr Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Homebuilding and Enhancing Council Homes and Neighbourhoods, who spoke on building a cohesive and resilient Tower Hamlets. Kiran Vagarwal, Director of Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement, addressed the theme of moving from remembrance to action, highlighting the importance of practical steps to challenge hatred and strengthen safety, trust and cohesion across the borough. The event was attended by H.E. Osman Topčagić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Kingdom, who spoke on international recognition of genocide and stories of resilience. The programme also included a powerful presentation from writer, travel writer and historian Tharik Hussain, whose reflections reminded attendees of the importance of memory, identity and confronting hatred through education and truth. Young people from Swanlea Secondary School shared their reflections, adding a deeply meaningful dimension to the event. Their presence highlighted the importance of passing remembrance on to the next generation and empowering young people to become voices for peace, justice and understanding. The Tower Hamlets Inter-Faith Forum was represented by Mother Bernadette Hegarty, Vicar of St Paul’s Church, Bow Common, who reflected on shared values and the importance of building stronger communities across faiths and backgrounds. A special presentation was also made to the young people from Swanlea Secondary School by Cllr Saied Ahmed and H.E. Osman Topčagić, recognising their participation and the importance of young voices in carrying forward the message of remembrance, justice and peace. “Srebrenica reminds us of the devastating consequences of hatred when it is left unchallenged. Remembrance must move us beyond sympathy towards responsibility. We must defend human dignity, to stand with those who suffer injustice, and to build communities rooted in peace, respect and compassion. “We are proud to support Tower Hamlets’ No Place for Hate message and to work with partners across the borough so that people of all faiths and backgrounds can stand together against racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.” – Junaid Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, East London Mosque. East London Mosque continues to support the No Place for Hate message in Tower Hamlets, working with partners to strengthen community cohesion, challenge prejudice and promote a borough where all residents feel valued, protected and respected. The Mosque’s participation in the memorial reflects its wider commitment to civic engagement, interfaith partnership and standing for justice and peace across communities. We remember. We stand together. We are here.