It’s 30 Years Since The Srebrenica Genocide.
A prayer for Srebrenica, from Srebrenica
Standing in the memorial grounds of Srebrenica I read the words engraved on a large stone:
“In the name of God The Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
We pray to Almighty God,
My grievance become hope!
May revenge become justice!
May mothers tears become prayers
That Srebrenica
Never happens again
To no one and
Nowhere!”
Can you feel these words pouring out hope for a better world? They’re laced with love for God. Acceptance of His Qadr through excruciating grief. This is the rank of the victims of Srebrenica. Look at their pure and strong hearts. Through the dark times we are facing, they are examples to us.
It Happened In My Lifetime
When the memorial was established I was a child, believing in a life of world peace. Living through a narrow lens that war, genocide and suffering ends with WWII. Standing at the Srebrenica memorial, that world view has already shattered into a million pieces, along with my heart. Knowing that genocide occurred towards Muslims on European soil when I was only a tot. Consequently, the words ring around in my heart “it happened in my lifetime.”
Mothers of Srebrenica
Reading this prayer I look across and I see a huge portrait of the face of a grieving mother of Srebrenica. I look at her and I ask in my heart “Mother of Srebrenica, how do I explain to you, that it already is happening?”.
A few short months after staring this mother of Srebrenica in the eye the genocide in Gaza intensified. I haven’t yet returned to look her portrait in the eye and tell her, mother of Srebrenica, forgive us, humanity didn’t honour your prayer.
Remembering The Souls of Srebrenica
Today, it’s important to remember Srebrenica not just for the genocide which took place but for the community it was, full of loving families and traditional Bosnian culture. I haven’t ever met a child of Srebrenica except that they are passionate, full of energy for justice and full of love for their home, the town of Srebrenica and its surrounding villages. In the past this was a place where families and communities lived together for generations. Yesterday souls full of love, hopes and dreams filled the homes of Srebrenica. Today, they rest in the Srebrenica Memorial Center of Potocari. Remember Srebrenica for the souls who made it a mountain of love and hope.
“And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, ‘They are dead.’ Rather, they are alive…”
Qur’an 2:154.
CLICK HERE to visit the official Remembering Srebrenica page.
Genocide tears through generations. Don’t forget to say a prayer for Srebrenica today.
