Vigil in Bradford city center marks death of stabbing victim Kulsuma Akter

A vigil was held in Bradford city center on Saturday to remember Kulsuma Akter, who died in a fatal stabbing attack earlier this month.

Mrs Akter, 27, died after being fatally stabbed in Westgate, Bradford, at 3.21pm on April 6.

A memorial vigil for Kulsuma Akter was held in Bradford today. (Image: Newsquest)

About 100 people gathered in Centenary Square on the steps of City Hall to hold a vigil to remember Mrs Akter with a minute’s silence at 3.21pm.

Rachel McMahon, one of the organizers of the vigil, said: “We are here today to mark the death of Kulsuma Akter.

“This day is about showing that we care about what’s happening in our city and taking action. Her life mattered.”

Rachel McMahon, one of the organizers, addresses the crowd at the Kulsuma Akter vigil. (Image: Newsquest)

Yasmin Aslam, domestic abuse and community engagement lead for Ashiana Sheffield, a domestic abuse and human trafficking service that supports victims, said: “I want to thank everyone who organized this.

“It’s so important that when we have a tragic death like Kulsuma’s, we talk about it for a day or two and then a few months later we forget about it. But we will not forget Kulsuma.

“Kulsuma was described by her friends and sisters as a caring, loving and compassionate person, someone who was the first person to be there to help and lend a hand and was the best mother for her son.”

A heart with flowers at Kulsuma Akter’s vigil. (Image: Newsquest)

Another woman from Ashiana Sheffield added: “We support women from black and minority communities and refugees.

“We need to protect women who don’t have status.”

Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West, spoke of the need for “safety and equality for all these women”.

She added: “This has to be a societal and cultural change.”

Members of the crowd bow their heads during a minute’s silence to remember Kulsuma Akter. (Image: Newsquest)

After the vigil, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “I saw so many people crying. We’re sad, we’re angry.”

Shazia Bibi said: “It’s really upsetting that there isn’t enough anger in Bradford.

“What kind of world do you want your daughters to live in?”

As the vigil ended, calling everyone to action, Ms McMahon said: “We’re going into protest mode because we’re upset and angry.

“We need to continue to raise this issue and raise our voices.”

Ms McMahon also told the T&A: “I hope I’ve shown that Kulsuma’s life mattered and that Bradford cares.

“We came together as a group of individuals because we wanted to make sure that all women matter.

“Every life matters. Every woman’s death matters.

“We need to make Bradford a city of culture that cares.”