Bradford to Establish UK’s Rohingya Memorial

Bradford, UK – In a historic move, Bradford is set to become the first city in the UK to establish a permanent memorial recognizing the genocide and persecution of the Rohingya people. The initiative, led by Newcastle Councillor and human rights activist Habib Rahman, is being carried out in collaboration with the British Rohingya Community (BRC) and the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK). This landmark project seeks to honour the resilience of the Rohingya community while raising awareness of their ongoing struggle.

The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, have faced systemic persecution for decades. Stripped of citizenship under Myanmar’s 1982 Citizenship Law, they have endured discrimination, forced displacement, and violence. The crisis escalated in August 2017 when Myanmar’s military launched a brutal crackdown, forcing approximately 800,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Survivors recounted mass killings, sexual violence, and village destruction—acts widely recognized as genocide by international bodies, including the United Nations.

Currently, over one million Rohingya refugees reside in dire conditions in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, facing severe restrictions on education, healthcare, and employment. Despite international aid efforts, the Rohingya remain stateless and vulnerable.

Bradford has played a significant role in resettling Rohingya refugees. Between 2008 and 2010, around 100 Rohingya refugees were welcomed under the UK’s Gateway Protection Programme (GPP), making the city a fitting location for the country’s first Rohingya memorial.

Leadership and Advocacy

Independent Cllr Habib Rahman, a longtime advocate for the Rohingya, founded Rohingya Action North East (RANE) in 2017. His organisation has spearheaded awareness campaigns, fundraising efforts, and humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees. Under Rahman’s leadership, RANE has collaborated with humanitarian organisations to establish maternity clinics, provide educational support for young women, and deliver emergency aid to Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Cllr Rahman has also held educational events during Holocaust Memorial Month, Refugee Week, and Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day (August 25). His advocacy has extended internationally, raising awareness of the Rohingya crisis on global platforms.

After years of discussions with Bradford City Council, Rahman, along with BRC Chair Nur Huda and General Secretary Nijam Uddin, secured approval for the memorial in 2023. A public consultation on February 11, 2025, allowed members of the Rohingya community and human rights activists to share their support and contribute to the vision of the memorial.

“This memorial will serve as a lasting reminder that we stand united against all forms of oppression and genocide,” said Cllr Rahman. “It will be a testament to the Rohingya’s struggle, a reminder of the genocide they have faced, and a call to the world to recognize, to act, and to ensure no one is denied their dignity and rights again.”

The memorial is set to be unveiled on August 25, 2025, on the anniversary of the Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day.

Community and Global Impact

Jasmin Akter, a Rohingya refugee who resettled in Bradford and is now an award-winning football and cricket coach, expressed her gratitude: “Bradford has been my sanctuary since 2009. I am deeply grateful to Cllr Habib Rahman and Bradford Council for approving this memorial. As a Rohingya woman, this memorial holds immense significance—it is a tribute to the countless Rohingya women who have endured unimaginable suffering. It will serve as a reminder of their pain, their strength, and our collective commitment to justice and remembrance.”

Tun Khin, President of BROUK, emphasized the memorial’s importance: “This is an important recognition of the genocide against Rohingya by the Burmese military in 2017. We will continue to seek justice through any means possible, including legal actions against Burmese military leaders. This memorial is a powerful symbol of our history and struggle.”

BRC General Secretary Nijam Uddin added, “Bradford has been the first place where we, as Rohingya, have truly felt at home. This memorial is not just a tribute to our past but a beacon of hope for future generations, ensuring they remain connected to their heritage.”

BRC Chair Nur Huda echoed these sentiments, stating, “This memorial is more than stone and inscription; it is a declaration that our history will not be forgotten. Bradford has given us a home, and through this memorial, we share our story with the world.”

The establishment of the UK’s first Rohingya memorial is a significant step in acknowledging the suffering of the Rohingya people while educating future generations. It stands as a powerful symbol of the UK’s commitment to justice, remembrance, and solidarity with one of the world’s most persecuted communities.

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