Councillor Gerald Vernon Jackson, Leader: Portsmouth City Council invited the Wessex Jamaat to attend a Prayer Service for the 'Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Blitz' held at the Portsmouth Cathedral. The Jamaat was represented by the President of Wessex Jamaat, Br Roshan Gangji, Br Shabbir Walji, the project Director for Al Mahdi, Br Muhammad Nurmohamed, a Trustee of the Jamaat, and youths of the Jamaat Br Jamil Bandali, Seyyid Ayad Hassan and Br Miqdad Master.
Portsmouth city was one of many cities which came under German bombing raids 70 years ago. The Blitz was the sustained bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. In Portsmouth, it killed 930 people and injured over 3000. Major parts of the city were destroyed and the focus of this by the Luftwaffe was because Portsmouth was a naval base and port: destruction and mayhem in Portsmouth could affect the supply of goods throughout the country and ultimately affecting the war.
The service started with the entering of the procession of the Dean of Portsmouth Cathedral, the Lord Mayor, and various other local Parliamentary, Military and Council dignitaries. The service included renditions by the Choir, a welcome by the Dean, a reading from the book Ecclesiasticus, a second reading from the Gospel, Reflections, The Intercessions, Blessing and finally the National Anthem.
The highlight of the event was the interviews by the Dean of Portsmouth Cathedral with four survivors of the bombing raids of 10 January 1941. One such interview graphically described the incidents that transpired when he was only 8 years old at the time living in a two bedroom flat above a shop in Fratton Road. He described how the Fratton Hotel was burning down from top to bottom which was situated opposite their shop. One survivor, who was on the Isle of Wight (also bombed), described how they were rushed from school into a shelter when the sirens were sounded. Unfortunately, a shelter few hundred feet away from them took a direct hit which claimed 18 lives.
A prayer that was delivered on that day read : “Let us pray for all the innocent victims of war...as we give thanks to God for the freedom and peace in which we live, we dedicate ourselves to building a world in which there is justice and peace for all, and where men, women and children love their neighbours as themselves and we all play our part in establishing justice in our community.’
Br Jamil Bandali, who attended the event said: “We were moved by the touching memories of these survivors. However, I remember thinking about the millions of innocent victims of the various wars that have been and are being waged around the world since the Blitz. This was going to be the last remembrance commemoration of the Blitz. It is sad to note that it has only lasted a generation.” He continued stating “We have many lessons to learn from this. Our own commemoration ceremonies must stand the test of time. The sacrifices of the grandson of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) must continue to be commemorated. We must safeguard this treasure of Azadari and help in the cause of establishing truth, justice, peace and fairness to all the people of this world irrespective of their race, colour, religion or social standing.”
Wessex Media Team