Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
Pastor Pavle Trajkovski addresses the vigil.
In response to the violence in Israel and Palestine, Milton Keynes Council of Faiths hosted a Vigil for Peace at MK:Rose in Campbell Park on Thursday 9th November. All present stood together in opposition to antisemitism and Islamophobia in all their forms, with a determination that hate is not welcome in our communities in Milton Keynes.
Cllr Waqas Ahmad introduced the event, and speakers from the Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities in Milton Keynes gave reflections, with Cllr. Emily Darlington speaking on behalf of the City Council before a minute's silence was held in honour of all those affected and in hope of lasting peace.
The Council of Faiths thank the Mayor and Mayoress for attending the Vigil, as well as Thames Valley Police, Milton Keynes City Council and the Parks Trust for supporting the organisation of the Vigil.
Cllr Ahmad's introduction in full:
"Today I stand before you as a representative of the Council of Faiths MK, to shed light on the importance of uniting to say that innocent lives matter. I firmly believe in upholding justice, compassion, and the sanctity of every human life.
The Vigil, in its essence, symbolises our collective commitment to stand up against injustice. It is a powerful demonstration of our unity and solidarity in advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their race, religion or background.
In our world today, innocent lives are being unjustly taken away through various forms of violence, discrimination and persecution. From senseless acts of countless individuals, many suffer at the hands of injustice.
By uniting, we send a powerful message to the world. We all in Milton Keynes reject hatred, violence and injustice and instead we promote love, peace and harmony. We stand together as a force against those who seek to divide us and we work towards building bridges of understanding and compassion.
In conclusion let us remember the true meaning of vigil: to stand up for justice, to protect the innocent, and to unite in support of life matters. We are committed to this cause, and we invite everyone to join us in creating a world where all lives are cherished and respected. Together we can make a difference. Thank you."
