Islamic Relief Canada: Srebrenica 29 Years Later

Today, as we commemorate this horrific event, it is crucial to identify the components of genocide to prevent such brutality from ever happening again. The international community is only now recognizing these atrocities decades later while we are witnessing similar harrowing events in Gaza and Sudan. We must ensure these horrors are not repeated, ever again.

During the Bosnian war, non-Serb Muslims were forced to flee to Srebrenica, a UN-declared safe zone in 1993. Despite the orders, a
blockade on food and supplies was enforced, forcing many residents to flee the region.

In July 1995, military forces advanced on Srebrenica. 10,000 Bosnian men were captured and taken to concentration camps and women were raped.

Mass executions of blindfolded men began on the eve of July 13th and lasted until July 16th.

In September and October 1995, military forces dug up mass graves of their victims and moved them to distant sites to hide the extent of the genocide.

After almost 30 years, impacts of the genocide linger.

Remains of victims are still being found across mass graves

13.3% population of Bosnia is forecasted to be unemployed in 2024

1 out of 4 households are ran by single mothers

3 decades later, in May 2024, United Nations has adopted a resolution on Srebrenica, marking July 11th as “International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica”.

84 countries voted in favour
19 countries voted against
68 countries abstained to vote

How your donations are making an impact

Orphan Sponsorship Program:

Providing educational and development support for orphans, reaching 331 orphans in 2023.

Psychosocial Support:

Inspire volunteers provide psychosocial support through educational activities and practical exercises, supporting 150 orphans in 2023.

Paying Homage:

Every year, [Islamic Relief] Inspire volunteers visit the Srebrenica memorial to pray for the victims

Bosnia was a horrific example of ethnic cleansing, Islamophobia, and genocide. The international community is only now recognizing it decades later.

Our job as a humanitarian workers, as Muslims, and as an international community is to ensure that these atrocities — anywhere.

To learn more about Islamic Relief Canada's work in Bosnia, click here

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This video made by our teams retells the lived experiences of two survivors from the genocide. Their loss and grief are so hard to hear. We pray that the victims of this genocide are granted the highest ranks in Jannah, that the families and survivors are given tremendous patience and peace.

Our teams have been on the ground since the massacre working to restore hope while rebuilding communities. We work with the children orphaned from the genocide and the families still grieving their immense loss.

Right now, our Inspire team is in Bosnia, bridging the gap from our community to theirs so they know they are not alone. Let's continue to work together to make sure that nothing like this... ever happens again.