SPECIAL GUESTS the Mayor of Oldham and Oldham East and Saddleworth MP will speak at a Holocaust Memorial Day event in Uppermill on Sunday, January 24.
Saddleworth Peace Group is holding its annual Peace Vigil to mark Holocaust Memorial Day outside the Methodist Church in Uppermill Square between 12noon and 12.30pm.
Local MP Debbie Abrahams and the Major of Oldham, Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman, will both speak, and the Mayoress, Yasmin Toor, will read one of her own poems.
The event will continue afterwards in the Methodist Church coffee lounge with light refreshments and all are welcome to attend.
Holocaust Memorial Day – with a theme of ‘Don’t Stand By’ in 2016 – is an international day when the six million Jews and millions of others killed by the Nazi regime are remembered.
The day also remembers subsequent mass killings in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, and challenges hatred and persecution in the world, including the UK, today.
Saddleworth Peace Group is a secular organisation that aims to promote peace at community and global level.
A spokesperson said: “The peace vigil is an opportunity for people across Saddleworth to come together to reflect and remember. We hope as many people as possible will join us.”
Please email katy.boulton@hotmail.co.uk or telephone Katy Boulton on 07881 784774 or 01457 877261 for further details.
Meanwhile, Oldham’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemorative event will be held at Mahdlo Youth Zone on Wednesday, January 27 from 6-10pm.
This is a partnership event between Mahdlo Youth Zone, Oldham Council and Oldham Interfaith Forum and all are welcome, with free entry.
The annual event will be opened by the Mayor, Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman, and will be followed by a minute’s silence then candle lighting.
Young people from Oldham Theatre Workshop will be performing and workshop sessions will take place to learn more about the Holocaust through art, music, film and cooking.
Councillor Ur-Rehman said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is for everyone to remember the millions of people killed in one of the worst atrocities and subsequent genocides.
“This year’s theme is ‘Don’t Stand By’ which calls on people to consider their responsibilities not to stand by in the face of discrimination, persecution and, in the worst excesses, genocide.
“This event also gives the council the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to opposing prejudice, discrimination and racism wherever it occurs.”
The event takes place from 6pm, with workshops from 6:30pm–8pm. Refreshments will be available throughout the evening.
If you would like to attend, please contact Christine Ludden, Stronger Communities Service by e-mail: Christine.ludden@oldham.gov.uk
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