Memories Campaign
The Memories campaign shares the intimate memories of the victims of terrorism featured in it, as well as the personal meaning tied to physical objects they hold dear. Through film and photography, it highlights these stories belonging to the twenty-two (22) victims of terrorism. Through these objects, the owners have shared their memories and emotions, in a simple but powerful way for audiences to relate to them, to feel their loss and to better understand the importance of remembering and paying tribute to victims of terrorism.
Ultimately, the stories aim to raise a collective consciousness and to create awareness about the importance of preventing terrorist attacks and the ensuing emergence of new victims. The campaign’s “humanization” of victims of terrorism strives to change society’s mindset, behavior, and attitude towards victims.
The launch of the Memories Photographic Exhibition and film showcasing 8 victims of terrorism took place at the UN High-Level International Conference on Human Rights, Civil Society and Counter-Terrorism in Malaga, Spain, on 10 May 2022. The Exhibition was expanded to portray 22 victims of terrorism and was showcased during the first United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism from 8-9 September, 2022, in UNHQ, New York.
The "MEMORIES" film
Part of our shared human experience is an innate desire to attach personal meaning to physical objects: it is something we do from the moment we are born.
Physical objects hold memories, emotions, aspirations: they form links to people who are no longer with us, and they keep us connected to versions of ourselves that were lost or forever changed – sometimes through growth or the passage of time, sometimes by a traumatic event, such as a terrorist attack.
Ahmed Hadji
Uganda, 2010
Kampala Bombings
Ahmed Hadji was watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup final match at the Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala, Uganda, when an attack carried out by Al-Shabaab took place.
The attack left 74 people dead and 75 injured. After the attack, Ahmed found comfort in the passages of the Quran. He keeps the Holy Book at hand and it reminds him of his responsibility towards other victims and his community.
Ashraf Al-Khaled
Jordan, 2005
Amman Bombings
Ashraf Al-Khaled and his wife survived a series of bomb attacks at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Amman, Jordan on their wedding day in November 2005.
Twenty-seven people died as a result of the bombings, including Ashraf's father, who passed away whilst holding his rosary. Ashraf has kept the rosary in memory of his father and it reminds him to speak out and tell his story. It is his way of healing and helping others.
Falmata Bunu
Nigeria, 2015
Boko Haram Attack
Falmata Bunu was held in brutal captivity for months by Boko Haram after they raided her village in northern Nigeria in 2015.
Now that Falmata is free, chatting with people, particularly through her phone, makes her happy. Falmata uses her phone to feel part of a community. It helps her forget what happened to her, breaks her feelings of isolation and enables her to be closer to people.
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Hasan Wahhab
Iraq, 2013
Baghdad Al-Qaeda Bombings
Hasan Wahhab Hadi al-Araji survived multiple terror attacks in Iraq that took the lives of several of his best friends and family members, including two of his cousins.
Forgotten on a chair by one of his cousins, the prayer beads now hang on his rearview mirror in his car. As he drives, looking at the beads inspires him in his mission to foster human rights and the rights of victims.
Iman Muhammad
Iraq, 2014
Sinjar Da’esh Attack
Iman Muhammad was abducted with hundreds of Yazidi girls after Da’esh attacked her village in Sinjar, Iraq in August 2014.
Iman was tortured, traded and forcibly married numerous times. Stripped of her dreams and wishes, she found comfort in her thumb. She would anxiously rub it as she endured the ordeals of her captivity.
Imrana Alhaji Buba
Nigeria, 2010
Boko Haram Attack
Imrana Alhaji Buba faced a traumatic experience on 6 June 2010 while he was on his way to the University of Maiduguri in Nigeria.
Boko Haram stopped his bus, searched passenger’s belongings and kidnapped several of them. The episode has changed the way he feels about his ID card, an object that determined people’s fate that day. He has since engaged in preventing violent extremism among youth.
Irene Villa
Spain, 1991
Madrid ETA Attack
Irene Villa survived an ETA terrorist attack in Madrid, Spain on 17 October 1991, when she was twelve years old. She and her mother, who was dropping her off to school, suffered severe injuries. Irene has since become a public figure: author, journalist, speaker, activist, and athletic member of Spain's first Paralympic skiing?team.
She has met many people on this journey, and a gift from one of them stands out: a graphic poem indicating that the meaning of her name relates to the personal mission she took on for her life.
Janne Palthe
Australia, 2005
London Underground Bombings
Janne Palthe is a survivor of the London Underground bombings of July 2005.
She keeps her train ticket from 7 July 2008 - the date of the 3rd anniversary of the bombings. The ticket symbolizes her ability to move forward and to be connected with her community of bereaved victims and survivors.
Joseph Pfeifer
USA, 2001
New York 9/11 Attacks
Fire Chief Joseph Pfeifer was the first senior member of the New York City Fire Department on the scene of the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers. He took command of the operation in the North Tower, during which he lost his brother — Lieutenant Kevin Pfeifer.
For Joseph, his helmet reminds him of who he was on 9/11 and became a symbol of hope and remembrance of those who lost their lives while saving others.
Julie & Mark Wallace
Australia, 2017
London Borough Market Attack
Julie and Mark Wallace lost their daughter, Sara, in the Borough Market attack on 3 June 2017 in London, England.
Sara, aged 21, was working in Europe and kept in touch with her parents over texts and video phone calls while preparing for their reunion. At the time, this connection brought them closer to one another. Today, their phone is a gateway to all the memories of love they shared over photos, chat, emojis and more.
Maysoon Salama
Palestine, 2019
New Zealand Christchurch Shooting
Maysoon Salama lost her son Atta Elayyan in a violent extremist attack that hit two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Atta and his father were in the Al Noor Mosque when a gunman opened fire, killing 51 people and wounding 40.
She is a doctor and the author of a story book written for children dealing with loss and trauma. Inspired by the butterfly life cycle, the book is a tribute to her son and an important mark of Maysoon’s efforts to promote tolerance.
Nanda Daniel
Indonesia, 2004
Jakarta Australian Embassy Attack
Nanda Daniel is a survivor of the 2004 attack on the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Severely injured, she underwent treatment and several surgeries. Friendship, including with other victims, gave her strength to recover and move on. A photo of her and other victims she is close to reminds her of the power of connections.
Nidhi Chaphekar
India, 2016
Brussels Airport Bombings
Nidhi Chaphekar is a survivor of the Da'esh bombing at Zaventem Airport in Brussels, Belgium on 22 March 2016.
She was a cabin manager for the Indian airline Jet Airways. For her, the photo, taken moments after the attack, is a symbol of courage and it reminds her that the terrorists never won.
Nigeel Namai
Kenya, 1998
Nairobi US Embassy Attack
Nigeel Namai was 4 months old when his father was killed in the 1998 attack on the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
Whenever Nigeel wears a suit, it brings up memories and stories of his father, who was always smartly dressed. He hopes that by wearing a suit his father would be proud of the person he has become.
Parfait Kari Wadjoré
Cameroon, 2014
Boko Haram Attack
Parfait Kari Wadjoré survived a Boko Haram attack on 19 December 2014 while he and his colleagues were on a business trip to Garoua, in Cameroon.
Reuniting with his son as he recovered from the assault brought back his joy of living and his smile. A 2015 photo taken less than two months after the attack captures what to him is an expression of victory.
Sandra Lescano
Ecuador, 2004
Madrid Train Bombings
Sandra Lescano is an Ecuadorian survivor of the train bombings in Madrid, Spain in March 2004.
At the time, her daughter was only one year old. The determination to stay alive for her daughter gave Sandra the strength to recover and to keep moving forward. Her daughter continues to provide Sandra with support to overcome life's challenges. By keeping a photo of her daughter on her, she is constantly reminded about the love that surrounds her.
Shannon Silvestri
USA, 2013
Boston Marathon Attack
Shannon Silvestri is a survivor of the April 2013 Boston Marathon attack in the United States.
Shannon was there with her two children and friends to watch her husband compete in the race. After overcoming her injuries, Shannon decided to fundraise in honor of the victims and to support survivors of the attack by designing a medal-shaped pin.
Shazia Khan
Pakistan, 2002
Hazara Community Attacks
Shazia Khan is a member of the Hazara community from Quetta, Pakistan, and a victim and survivor of terrorism.
She lost her brother in a Taliban attack when she was a child, and later she lost a cousin in a bomb blast in her community. In 2002, she and her mother managed to escape a deadly bombing in her town’s market. Engaged in the protection of the rights of minorities, women and victims, her camera was an important tool to help those around her.
Soad Begdouri
Morocco, 2003
Casablanca Attacks
Soad Begdouri El-Khammal lost her husband and her 17-year-old son in the 16 May 2003 attacks which killed 33 people in five synchronized bombings in Casablanca, Morocco.
The moment when time stopped for her husband has been carved into his watch, a belonging Soad retrieved and does not want to be fixed. Soad tattooed her unconditional love for her son onto her skin, to keep him close and always in sight.
Sudirman Talib
Indonesia, 2004
Jakarta Australian Embassy Attack
Sudirman Talib is a survivor of the September 2004 attack on the Australian Embassy in Indonesia.
He suffered extensive injuries and trauma from the attack but chose to keep a magazine that features pictures of the attack close to him. The magazine not only helps him tell his story to his family, but reminds him of why he speaks out, and the importance of being heard.
Viljar Hanssen
Norway, 2011
Ut?ya Attack
Viljar Hanssen is a survivor of the July 2011 attack at the Ut?ya summer camp in Norway.
Viljar was severely injured during the attack and faced a long road to recovery. He always carries a picture of himself with two friends who died in the attack as a source of inspiration. The photo reminds him of the youthful energy and optimism they had, and the importance of keeping that spirit alive and knowing that the world continues to be filled with opportunities.
Vera de Benito
Spain, 2004
Madrid Train Bombings
Vera de Benito was 10 years old when she lost her dad in the Madrid train bombings, which killed 192 people and injured many more on 11 March 2004.
For Vera, commemorating victims and being able to speak about what happened helps mitigate the pain. She has since become a journalist. The photo of her father she keeps in her wallet helps her remember the wise person he was and makes her feel like he is still around.