Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki
by Kamran Mofid on 09 Aug 2019 4 Comments

Exactly 74 years ago [6 august 1945-Ed] the US dropped an atomic bomb, nicknamed Little Boy, on Hiroshima, killing 140,000 of its 350,000 citizens. Three days later, a second bomb, Fat Man, was dropped on Nagasaki, killing 74,000 people

August 6, 1945: 8:15am Hiroshima

August 9, 1945: 11.02am Nagasaki

 

In memory of the people who perished in the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I ask all the friends of the Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative to hold a one-minute silent prayer and to light a candle to remember the victims and to pray for the realization of lasting world peace, free from the weapons of mass destruction.

 

On 6 August 1945 at approximately 8:15 am the United States dropped the Atomic bomb Little Boy on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. In a single moment this bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people and turned over 4 square miles of the city into dust. Tens of thousands more eventually died. All that remains following World War II is the Genbaku Dome, or what is more commonly referred to as the “A-bomb Dome.” Days after the Hiroshima attack, Nagasaki was similarly destroyed by another bomb which killed 74,000 people.

 

Let us remember the lives that where lost and the cities that were destroyed in an egregious act against humanity. Moreover, let us strive for a nuclear free world.

 

“Although the people living across the ocean surrounding us are all our brothers and sisters why, Oh Lord, is there trouble in this world? Why do winds and waves rise in the ocean surrounding us? I earnestly wish the wind will soon blow away all the clouds hanging over the tops of the mountains.”- Shinto Peace Prayer

 

“When the Eagle of the North gets together with the Condor of the South, it is time for all the Rainbow Tribes of the World to get together and bring Peace upon this world.”- Native American Prophecy

 

“We”re all one family, all together, We human beings, all one big mob!”- Miriwoong, Australian Aboriginal

 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

 

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy;

O Master, grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

 

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life- Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

 

Deep Peace of the running wave to you

Deep Peace of the flowing air to you

Deep Peace of the quiet earth to you

Deep Peace of the shining stars to you

Deep peace of the shades of night to you

Moon and stars always giving Light to you- Celtic Peace Prayer from Antiquity

 

On this day I also wish to remember my own visit to Hiroshima

 

In mid 1990s I had founded the Centre for the Study of Forgiveness and Reconciliation at Coventry University. This was the culmination of my years of cooperation with Coventry Cathedral and the City of Coventry.

 

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the ending of war between Japan and Europe, Sir Richard Branson had commissioned the design and construction of the Statue of Forgiveness and Reconciliation, one for the ruins of Coventry Cathedral and the other for Hiroshima Peace Park.

 

I was honoured to be present for the installation ceremony at Coventry Cathedral. Then, at the personal invitation of Sir Richard, I accompanied him and the Coventry delegation, the Lord Mayor, Provost John Petty, Canon Paul Oestreicher, and others to Hiroshima for the unveiling ceremony of the Statue at Hiroshima Peace Museum.

 

I am most grateful for that opportunity which I will remember forever.

 

A bit more on “My Coventry Story”:

 

“We also together - in association with and support of the University, the Cathedral and the City Council - instigated and co-founded the Centre for the Study of Forgiveness and Reconciliation at Coventry University and as part of its work, in association with the Ambassadors’ Lecture Series, which we had founded already, invited international speakers including the former presidents of Ireland and South Africa, namely, Mrs. Mary Robinson, and F.W. de Klerk to deliver lectures at Coventry Cathedral.

 

“Moreover, we also invited other international speakers including Ambassadors of Japan, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Mexico and the High Commissioner of Canada to deliver lectures on the need for dialogue and mutual respect among different cultures and civilisations at Coventry’s St. Mary’s Guildhall. We were delighted when Mrs. Robinson accepted our invitation to become the Patron of our newly founded Centre. Our joint activities resulted in many publications. 

 

At George’s suggestion and with the kind support of Canon Paul Oestreicher and Provost John Petty, I received an invitation from Sir Richard Branson to accompany the Coventry delegation (City and Cathedral) to Hiroshima for the unveiling ceremony of the Statue of Reconciliation at Hiroshima Peace Park.”

 

Courtesy

https://www.gcgi.info/archive/270-may-peace-prevail-on-earth-remembering-hiroshima-and-nagasaki

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