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

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

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A vigil to remember Kulsuma Akter was held in Bradford today.A vigil to remember 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 Ms Akter with a minute’s silence at 3.21pm.

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

“This day is about showing we care about what happens in our city and to take action. Her life mattered."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Rachel McMahon, one of the organisers, addresses the crowd at the vigil of Kulsuma Akter.Rachel McMahon, one of the organisers, addresses the crowd at the vigil of Kulsuma Akter. (Image: Newsquest)

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

“It’s so important that when we do 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 who would be there to help and give a helping hand, and she was the best mum to her son."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A heart with flowers at the vigil of Kulsuma Akter.A heart with flowers at the vigil of Kulsuma Akter. (Image: Newsquest)

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

“We need to protect woman who do not have status."

Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West, spoke about demanding "safety and equality for all of these women".

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

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Members of a crowd bow their heads during a minute's silence to remember Kulsuma Akter.Members of a crowd bow their heads during a minute's silence to remember Kulsuma Akter. (Image: Newsquest)

After the vigil, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “I saw so many people weeping. We are sad, we are furious."

Shazia Bibi said: “It’s really upsetting there’s not enough rage in Bradford.

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

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

“We need to keep raising this issue and raising our voices.”

Ms McMahon also told the T&A: “I hope we have 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.”