A march was held in the UK on the occasion of World War Remembrance Day, led by Pakistani female pastor Riffat Javed at St. Philip’s and St. James Church, Ratby. The event commemorated the sacrifices of soldiers, with a message of remembering the fallen and a renewed commitment to promoting peace.
As in previous years, the traditional march followed its designated route and ended at the War Memorial. Pastor Riffat Javed led the procession, reflecting on the lives lost in the two world wars and subsequent conflicts worldwide, as well as the ongoing struggles between nations today.
In her address, Pastor Riffat Javed stated:
“Today we come together in remembrance of those who have died in two world wars, those who have died since, and those who die today through current conflict between nations. For some, this time will still be personal, it will be hard, hurting, and lonely. Yet, for others, it will be a place only seen through images, stories told or handed down through family generations, or seen through the media. Although devoid of personal contact, it will be equally disturbing.”
She emphasized that the purpose of the gathering was not to glorify war but to recognize its cost: “As we remember the sacrifice made by so many, we do not come to glorify war but to recognize its cost, the human life lost, and the suffering caused to all involved and affected by the actions taken.”
Pastor Riffat Javed continued, saying that the gathering was also a moment to reaffirm a commitment to peace. “Today, in our remembrance, we also come together to re-commit ourselves before God to be those peacemakers and peacekeepers that Jesus asks all his disciples to become through the ways we live our lives together. We come to express our common humanity shared in the light of Christ by pausing to recognize the value of every life, past and present.”
She reflected on the tension between faith and the harshness of the world: “At times such as these, our faith grinds against the reality of an often hard, unforgiving, and uncomprehending world. As we reflect on the horrors endured by those we remember today, we may also find ourselves challenged in our understanding of human nature, and why change and forgiveness can appear to be a slow process between individuals or within nations, as we see others continuing along paths of destruction today.”
Pastor Riffat Javed noted that the need for change within people is not a new concept, referencing the Old Testament prophets: “The need for change within people is not a new concept. The prophets of the Old Testament were constantly urging those around them to change their ways and follow the words of God handed down to Moses. Effecting change of attitudes or values amongst people has always been an ‘uphill’ task, as we have seen in more recent times, whether it be associated with climate change.”
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