A Vigil of Remembrance and Solidarity for Refugees

FMO Executive Committee members attended a vigil of remembrance on Sunday 6th September 1.00pm in Cathedral Gardens organised by Leicester Cathedral.

 

FMO’s Secretary Yasmin Surti spoke at the event on behalf of the FMO on the plight of refugees escaping the conflict in Syria and Iraq and welcomed the increased aid pledged by UK government and DFID – UK Department for International Development but also spoke of the need for the international community to do more to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict and work towards an enduring peace.
An estimated 3,000 people have lost their lives trying to cross from Africa and the middle east to Europe.
Here in Leicester we are holding a Vigil for those who have lost their lives attempting to find safety and refuge. We will lay flowers to remember them and stand in solidarity with all who are displaced.
Britain has a long and generous history of welcome. While the oversees aid budget is helping to support vulnerable people this humanitarian crisis has escalated and we need to do more, now, to find humane and lasting solutions.

The Cathedral will be displaying a banner stating “#refugeeswelcome“ as part of the long tradition of welcome and sanctuary offered by the community in Leicester.
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