Rochdale borough’s annual Holocaust memorial commemoration 2022

Rochdale borough’s annual Holocaust memorial commemoration was once again a virtual one this year, due to the ongoing pandemic.

A 40-minute film has been produced by Rochdale Borough Multi-Faith Partnership on this year’s theme of “One Day”.

Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, gives a poignant account of his learning about the events of the Holocaust from his father and grandfather and about an emotional visit he himself made to the Auschwitz concentration and death camps.

Had the commemoration been live, it would have taken place in Heywood this year and the Mayor, Councillor Aasim Rashid, is seen paying his respects to the victims, as he lays pebbles on the Holocaust Memorial Stone in Heywood.

Hate crime and hate incidents are known to have been on the increase of late and much of the hate rhetoric can be spread by online platforms. The film features a conversation between Imam Irfan Chishti and Ivan Humble of “Me & You Education”. Ivan, a former active member of the English Defence League, had been radicalised online but has now turned his life full circle and works to educate people about the dangers of being drawn into online hate propaganda.

During the Second World War, many people fled to the UK to escape from the persecution and potential deportation and murder by the Nazi regime. Making links to refugees today fleeing persecution in their homelands, the visit of Little Amal to Rochdale, on her 8,000 km walking journey from Syria, is highlighted by Nicky Iginla of Caring and Sharing.

 

 

Little Amal is a 3.5-metre tall living artwork, of a young Syrian refugee girl. She embodies and raises awareness of the traumatic struggles refugees experience. She was greeted by huge crowds on her arrival in Rochdale last November, and this warm welcome gave hope to refugee groups in the town who presented her with a handmade blanket.
 

Read more: Gallery: Little Amal visits RochdalePublished: 03 November 2021

Genocides have been perpetrated since the Second World War, despite the world saying, “Never Again” and Holocaust Memorial Day honours those victims and survivors also. But it is crucial to note that acts of genocide are still being committed: in some countries, certain groups of people are singled out, as their lives are deemed not to be worth anything.

Close to home we can all guard against hate and prejudice and learn to protect ourselves against hateful rhetoric.

As Ivan Humble states, it is important to be aware of our misconceptions and to meet with those we don’t know, or who we fear and start conversations. It was this which has had a huge impact on his life and caused his hate to lift.

Prayers of Remembrance are offered by Rabbi Warren Elf and Reverend Anne Gilbert, Mayor’s Chaplain and representatives of the community light candles in remembrance of the victims.

Looking to the future, young people from Rochdale Youth Service offer their positive hopes for “One Day” interspersed throughout the film.

The Borough of Rochdale Multi-Faith Partnership would like to thank everyone who contributed to the film and to Rochdale Council for their support also.