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Members of Islington Veterans Association at the Islington Green service |
A peace message as young and old remember fallen
A SOLEMN moment fell across the borough as young and old stood side-by-side with war veterans to lay wreaths for Remembrance Sunday.
The fallen were honoured at ceremonies in Finsbury, Islington Green, Archway and Finsbury Park.
In Tollington Park, more than 50 Christians and Muslims prayed together for peace and reconciliation at St Mellitus Catholic Church.
The service, which has been held in the church’s Peace Garden for six years, is dedicated to those killed in all battles worldwide.
Bruce Kent, founder of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), said: “We think that if any of the dead could come back they would tell us the ceremonies are all very well, but what we have to do is abolish wars in order to prevent more victims.” He added: “To honour the dead means working towards the end of war. This service is dedicated to victims of all wars, not just the British. One lady spoke about soldiers and civilians of the First World War, I mentioned children from Palestine.”
Kazi Abdul Kadir, imam of the Wightman Road Mosque, recited a prayer in Arabic and English, asking for peace and calling for an end of the killings in Afghanistan, while parishioners from the Democratic Republic of Congo prayed for people murdered in the Congolese civil war.
The Roman Catholic congregation, which hosts more than 70 nationalities and celebrates its 50th anniversary in the church building this year, also commemorated soldiers and civilians in Sri Lanka, Iraq and Israel.
Sister Elizabeth O’Donohue and Father David Ardagh-Walter planted a red remembrance cross in the middle of the garden.
At the same time, over in Upper Street, Islington mayor Anna Berent led community and religious leaders at the Remembrance Day parade.
Wreath and flag bearers, MPs, Sea Cadets, members of Islington Veterans Association and Artillery Company marched from Highbury Corner to Islington Green for an interfaith service.
Reverends Michael Learmouth and Nigel Williams arranged the service.
Visitors placed wreaths, sang hymns and the National Anthem. A two-minute silence and Christian and Kohima prayers were also part of the ceremony.
Similar services took place in Spa Green, Finsbury, and in Archway.
Council leader Terry Stacy, who joined the memorial service, said: “Islington is marking Remembrance across the borough at a time when the sacrifices made by our service personnel overseas are resonating strongly with the British public.” |
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