Vigil for fatal stabbing victim set to be held

Kulsuma Akter, 27, was pushing her baby in a pram along Westgate when she was attacked on 6 April

A vigil is set to be held in Bradford in memory of a woman who was stabbed to death in the city.

Kulsuma Akter, 27, was pushing her baby in a pram along Westgate when she was attacked on 6 April.

People plan to gather in Centenary Square on Saturday at 15:00 BST for the vigil, which comes three weeks after the attack.

Organiser said there would also be a minute's silence at 15:21, which is the time Ms Akter was found seriously injured by officers who were called to the scene.

Activist and artist Mussarat Rahman is one seven women from grassroots groups across the district who have organised the event.

"We as women wanted to raise awareness of how much male violence happens in society, across all societies," she said.

"It is not given the space needed to talk about these issues - which also include mental, emotional and psychological abuse."

Seven women from grassroots groups across Bradford have organised the vigil, including Mussarat Rahman (left) and Rachel McMahon

She continued: "It's not normal, it's abhorrent for a woman to be killed in broad daylight.

"Violence in any form is not acceptable in any community."

Rachel McMahon, a fellow organiser, said men were welcome to attend the vigil as "allies".

“I woke up really upset and really outraged and I wanted to do something to show that Bradford women care when this happens to women on our streets,” she said.

Habibur Masum, 25, from Burnley, has been charged with Ms Akter's murder and appeared at Bradford Crown Court on 12 April via video link.

A provisional trial date has been set for 18 November, with Mr Masum also charged with possession of a bladed article.

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