Portsmouth’s Halabja Memorial Ceremony, 16 March 2016

portsmouth-halabja

Halabja Memorial Tree

By Judith Kerby & Brian Futcher:

  • Wednesday, 16th March 2016 at 12.00 noon
  • Ceremony held in the Garden of Hope, (D-Day Museum), Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth PO5 3NT

The Kurds have suffered many tragedies not least being 16th March 1988 when chemical bombs were dropped on Halabja, immediately killing 5,000 men, women and children and leaving thousands more destitute and suffering from life-long injuries.

Some of those fleeing their homeland from this, and the other appalling atrocities inflicted on the Kurdish people, have now made their homes in the city of Portsmouth on the south coast of England where, in 2008, a Memorial Garden and Tree were established. Every year on 16th March the Kurdish community, together with friends, local dignitaries and representatives from city-wide organisations, gather together to commemorate the loss of so many loved ones; families, friends, neighbours and fellow countrymen.

The ceremony always includes a number of addresses by invited speakers, 1 Minute’s Silence, the signing of a Book of Remembrance and an opportunity for everyone present to lay flowers around the Halabja Memorial Tree as a sign of their sympathy and support for those who have suffered so much.

We welcome anyone to this ceremony who comes with an open mind and heart; recognising that “no man is in island” and that when even one person suffers injustice and inhumane cruelty all mankind is the poorer.

Enquiries – 079474 58861 , kurds@smora@co.uk

 

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