HALABJA IN UK – 2013 YEAR OF INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

Standing Together : By Brian Futcher and Judith Kerby: Halabja Memorial Tree, Portsmouth UK

Every Kurd knows that on 16th March 2013 it will be 25 years since the Iraqi regime dropped chemical bombs on the market town of Halabja, killing 5,000 men, women and children and leaving thousands more with life-long injuries.

What every Kurd reading this article won’t know is that here in Portsmouth on the south coast of England, where some of the survivors of this tragedy have made their home, we hold an annual Halabja Memorial Ceremony in the Garden of Hope, where we have a Memorial Tree. On behalf of the Kurdish community in Portsmouth, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us at this ceremony.  With local dignitaries, friends from across the city and guests from far and wide, the Kurdish community will be gathering together to commemorate the loss of so many; families, friends and fellow Kurds.

The ceremony will take place on:

Saturday 16th March 2013,  1.00  –  3.00 p.m.

at The Garden of Hope, Clarence Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 3A

With all that is going on today in Kurdistan and the Middle East, it has never been more important for Kurds to stand together and on this 25th anniversary, when we remember not only the tragedy of Halabja but the suffering endured by all Kurds, we invite you to stand with us.  Please come.

Brian Futcher / Judith Kerby – on behalf of the Kurdish community in Portsmouth

Enquiries to:  kurds@smora.co.uk