People across the world will be taking moments of prayer or silence to remember the victims of the global refugee crisis, including Alan Kurdi, his brother, his mother, their loved-ones, 1000s of children who have lost their lives fleeing armed conflicts and over 2,500 refugees who have died this summer attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
Honour Victims of Global Refugee Crisis
Minutes of silence or prayer to be held worldwide to honour the victims of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding on the shores of Europe and elsewhere. Those paying their respects will be thinking particularly of Alan Kurdi, his brother Galip Kurdi, their mother Rehan Kurdi and their loved-ones.
Time: 4-5 September 2015 at
- 8 PM CET
- 7 GMT
- 2 PM ET
- 10 PM Kobane time
DI Media Committee said the decision to organise moments of silence or prayer was taken after requests poured in to DI co-founder on twitter and other social networks.
Emotional Statement
by Mr. Zar Ali khan Afridi, DI representative in Pakistan and executive director of Society for Rights and Development
Alan my sweet child. You are not dead. You are sleeping. You have gone to heaven. My God when I look at you my own son who is of same age just comes and stands before me. I have same sentiments for your brother who is not seen here but I have same feeling for him too. Your Mom who is also no more with you here but she is with you both in heaven I have same sentiments for her as well. Today all day long and to night I have lost no moment to forget what happened with you. You made me speechless like million of people. I am unable to share your picture of sleep with my wife or child who is of your same age. I am sure my wife will be half dead if she sees you. My child sleep more and more. Your sleep is a slap on the face of humanity in general and so called Arab and Muslim Ummah if any in particular. I can not do any thing more except shedding few tears for you all three. Pl accept my flowers wreath for you and your brother and sweet Mom. The more I see you the more I lose my heart.
Child we as adult human beings are very much ashamed before you for not protecting you. You’re lying in such an innocent posture does ask us question which we are unable to answer. My toddler you better go to heaven to be sheltered from brutalities of the terrorists.
Background
The two boys: Alan Kurdi (three-year-old) and Galip Kurdi (five-year-old) were refugees from Kobane trying to resettle in Canada. When their family lost hope of a new life in Vancouver, they attempted to reach the Greek island of Kos. Their journey ended when their boat overturned due to high waves, leaving their lifeless bodies along with that of their mother Rehan and those of eight other refugees washed up on a Turkish beach of the Bodrum peninsula Wednesday. Their father survived and his only wish now is to return to Kobane with his dead wife and children to bury them.
This family’s tragedy encapsulates the challenges refugees are facing to flee armed conflicts in their countries. According to the UN refugee agency, Wednesday’s dead were part of a grim toll of nearly 2,500 people who have died this summer attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. It is estimated that around 205,000 refugees have entered Greece this year alone.
DI Message
During the beach event, DI co-founder Dr. Widad Akreyi expressed condolences on behalf of Defend International to the families and friends of victims. She stated: “Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the families and friends of those who have died and all refugees and their loved ones. Our thoughts are with them as they mourn the passing of those they loved.” Dr. Akreyi thanked volunteers and humanitarian workers worldwide for their outstanding efforts in aiding desperate refugees. She also thanked the European countries that had already offered their assistance to help resolve the refugee crisis. Finally, she called on the international community to share equitably the responsibility for protecting, assisting and hosting refugees in accordance with principles of international solidarity and human rights.
“From shore to shore
Our message of love and peace
To ALL our kids ” ~ Dr. Widad Akreyi
“Flowers we brought
Sea kissed them
Tears we brought
Sea stole them
Candles we brought
A dead child lit them” ~ Mr. Michael McFarland
Examples of Art Supporting Cause
Poem Entitled “In memory of Alan Kurdi” by Mr. Gal Kleinman, DI supporter and co-founder of Education for Global Peace
Let us take a moment to mourn the death of a little boy named Alan
What can be said
Words disappear as pain and grief take hold
Tears come rushing and there is no solace
What has become of us
We have become blind to the fact that Alan was our son
Millions of children and youth across the world who suffer unspeakable injustices are all our children
Until we realize this there will be no peace
We never knew Alan
So why do we cry?
Because he is part of us
Part of us that died
Dear Alan
Wherever you are
Have no doubt
Like the sun
We will rise
To reclaim our humanity
In loving peace
Gal
Artwork by Artist Mr. Mo Tuncay @paschamo
Poem by Mr. Michael McFarland
Never more a scared child weeping
Left us all for God’s own keeping
We who failed him
Now bewail him
__________________________________________________________
On Twitter: #AylanKurdi #GalipKurdi #SaveRefugees
@DI_Org & @DrWidad_A