Remembrance Day: Importance of recognising sacrifices for justice and peace highlighted

LUTON: In a message for Remembrance Day, Professor Raja Zafar Khan, Chairman of the Luton Council of Faiths, has underscored the importance of recognising those who have sacrificed their lives for the principles of justice and peace.

He stated: “Remembrance Day presents an opportunity to educate ourselves, evaluate, and acknowledge the inhumanity of wars arising from injustice, pride, and greed. It is also a day to remind us of the importance of justice, humanity, peace, and amity rather than conflict and divisions among nations, which are essential for a prosperous world.

“In this context, we must remember the invaluable lives lost in the two World Wars, including those of countless soldiers not only from the British Isles but also from countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Africa, the Caribbean islands, the Middle East, and the South Asian subcontinent, encompassing present-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

“On this Remembrance Day, we honour fallen individuals from diverse national, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, including Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu soldiers from the subcontinent. Therefore, it is imperative that we recognise these facts and acknowledge those who made the ultimate sacrifice to counteract the extremism and hatred witnessed in the United Kingdom during the summer of this year.

“It is incumbent upon all of us to uphold the legacy of those who sacrificed their lives for a society that values and actively promotes equality, freedom, and justice both domestically and internationally. To achieve and sustain these principles, we must be prepared to make sacrifices in the pursuit of peace, justice, compassion, and collective prosperity across our communities.

“There is much to remember and reflect upon today as we pay tribute and express eternal gratitude to the fallen. Their bravery, suffering, and the profound grief associated with the loss of millions of soldiers must serve as a reminder that their ultimate sacrifice shall not be forgotten. As we commemorate them on this solemn occasion, we ought to consider it our duty to become proactive peacemakers in their honour.”