Representatives of different faiths joined together with both members of the armed forces and the Royal British Legion for a special event at London City Hall. They stood together to remember those that gave their lives in the D Day landings – a key turning point in WW2.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. The event also honours those that lost their lives in other conflicts, both past and present.
The service saw a variety of hymns, readings and speeches, with music provided by the London International Gospel Choir. There was also a two-minute silence observed.
Participating in the event, The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “City Hall’s annual Remembrance Day service gives us an important opportunity to reflect on the courage, dedication and bravery of our Armed Forces.
“As we mark the momentous 80th anniversary of D Day we commemorate and honour all the servicemen and women from the UK and Commonwealth who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. London would not be the great city it is today were it not for their selfless efforts.
“We will forever be in their debt.”
A key part of the event was a wreath laying ceremony. Amongst those taking part were a range of different representatives from a number of different services, including the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, the London fire Brigade, The British Red Cross, The Royal British Legion and St Johns Ambulance and the armed forces.
Also present were a range of religious leaders, who spoke passionately about their honouring of the fallen and their hopes for a more peaceful future.
Speaking at the event was Gurpreet Singh Anand, Secretary General of the Sikh Council UK.
He commented: “In World War one and two, 83,000 Sikh soldiers gave their lives and 115,000 were injured.”
After reading a prayer, he went on to say, “That is the verse that Hindu soldier’s sing when we go to war. We do not fear the battlefield, but we pray that we do not have to go through it, and we pray that those who are left at home have safety.”
Also speaking at the event was Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain – the first woman to lead the organisation.
“Today as we commemorate the lives of millions lost, amongst them over 1.5 million Muslims soldiers who fought we think about the wars that today that continue to go on. The too many wounds that we see. We look deep into prayer, and into the humanity that we wish to see in this world.
“Whilst we are crippled by the pain and anguish, we are also inspired so much by the hope of those who have fallen but continue to be remembered today as the memories etched in our own souls, they fought for something bigger.
“They stood for something more important. Today my prayers on behalf of all of us are for peace. For goodness and a humanity that will continue to fight, for something that is beyond us all. We pray for all those suffering in the world, may we learn the lessons of those who have fallen, may we never forget them.”
Nitin Palan, a noted interfaith champion and a member of the Diwali in London Committee spoke during the event: “We gather here to support those who have departed from this world.”
After saying a prayer, he commented: “We offer our heartfelt gratitude for those who are being remembered today. May all be happy, may all be free of disease may all see that which is good. May no – one ever suffer.
“May there be nothing but peace, peace, peace.”
Rabbi Miriam Berger also spoke: “Today as we stand and mourn, my greatest fear is that in our looking back, we see glimpses of a future set to unravel. A future that to avoid repetition we need to change course.
“When we look back, we see lives lost, cities destroyed, and futures changed for generations. We have to learn lessons from the past, and to have the resolve to never again let violence rule the world, or evil dwell on earth.”
She went on: “This is the time to remember the war that they called ‘The war to end all wars.’ Yet it did not end war.
“So, as we stand here to remember all that gave their lives in the service of this country, those who died so that we might be free, those who died so that we could live on, we think of those who had the strength to stand up to evil, protecting others from its consequences.
“Their example is our defence, and our shelter.”
Chair of the London Assembly, Andrew Boff AM, said: “I am extremely grateful to have been able to stand alongside members of the Armed Forces community, faith leaders, colleagues, and many others to pay our respects to those who sacrificed their lives to protect our safety, our values, and our freedoms.
“Now 80 years on from the D-Day landings, today’s Remembrance Service reminds us of the many otherwise ordinary people who fought with extraordinary courage in the World Wars, and of the continued bravery of all those serving in our Armed Forces today.”
“Our thoughts today are with our serving Armed Forces personnel and their families, and with all those who have lost homes, friends, family members and communities to war.”
To further honour those who so bravely laid down their lives, there is a photographic exhibition of Normandy veterans and artefacts from World War 2 are on display in the area called London’s living room.
The event took place before the national wreath laying ceremonies observed across the country at 11am on 11 November.
