The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust at Manchester Central Library held a project launch and commemorative event recently.

Friday 14 October would have been Ahmed Iqbal Ullah’s 44th birthday. To mark the occasion, family, friends and those affected by his death attended a special commemorative event and project launch at Manchester Central Library.

Over 100 people gathered for a preview of the ‘Legacy of Ahmed’ exhibition, featuring a range of oral history interview excerpts, photographs and archive material. They also listened to a programme of speeches delivered by Councillor Lufther Rahman (Executive Member for Culture and Leisure), Selina Ullah (founder of the Intercultural Communication and Leadership School, and Ahmed’s sister) and Prof Lou Kushnick (founder of the AIU Race Relations Resource Centre). The event included refreshments made by members of the Manchester Bangladeshi Women’s Organisation and a special screening of the project film created by producer Karen Gabay.

Visitor comments included:

“A very touching event.”

“This project has given me a deeper understanding of race, my own race and my place within this city and country.”

“Mrs Fatima Begum [Ahmed’s mother and founder of the Ahmed Iqbal Memorial High School] is a true inspiration to all women, all over the world.”

“I think that Manchester secondary schools should teach their students about Ahmed’s life and legacy.”

Ahmed was murdered by a fellow pupil in the school playground, after defending younger Asian boys from bullying. 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of his death. For the past 12 months The Legacy of Ahmed project has been gathering oral history interviews and archive material to document both the impact of his death and the wide range of positive initiatives inspired by his memory.

The exhibition continues at Central library until early January 2017.