Civic Ceremony on Jan 29 will also hear of personal experiences
The Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Pritam Grewal, is inviting residents to a special service next week (Tuesday 29 January) to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
Holocaust Memorial Day (27 January) commemorates those who suffered during the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, and is an opportunity to show that the Holocaust still has relevance to everyone in the UK today.
The main focus for Holocaust Memorial Day remains the Holocaust itself, where millions were killed in the pursuit of “racial purity”, but it is also an opportunity for people to think about the continuing repercussions of the Holocaust and to reflect on more recent atrocities that raise similar issues.
The Mayor will lead a special ceremony at Hounslow Civic Centre, with an introduction by Revd Rosie Hoad of St Mary’s Parish Church , Osterley. Guest speaker John Dobai will share his experiences of the selfless work of Raoul Wallenberg, which allowed his family to survive the Nazi occupation of Budapest until the city was liberated in January 1945.
The Deputy Lieutenant Ms Maria Pedro, the Mayor Cllr Pritam Grewal, Leader of the Council, Cllr Jagdish Sharma and Hounslow’s Chief Executive Mary Harpley will lay a wreath at the Memorial Tree followed by two minutes silence for personal reflection.
Cllr Grewal said: “Holocaust Memorial Day not only reminds us about the horrors of the past, but challenges us to look forward and commit ourselves to a future where everyone can live free from persecution, free from oppression and free from the shadow of fear cast by those who use their strength to intimidate.
“Alongside this we have our unspoken promise to live our lives so that those who lost theirs might know they taught us the true value of what we can easily take for granted.
“We must always be vigilant of the dangers of racism and victimisation, and take opportunities such as this to underline our commitment to tolerance, respect and understanding.
“We all have a part to play in the fight against prejudice and hatred, and even in the smallest of ways, every one of us can make a difference.
“The lessons from the Holocaust resonate strongly in Hounslow. By coming together as one community, with respect for each others ideas and beliefs, we can be confident that we are passing on the lessons that the Holocaust taught us.”
The civic ceremony is open to the public and begins at 11.30am at Hounslow Civic Centre, Lampton Road, Hounslow TW3 4DN on Tuesday 29 January.
January 23, 2013
|