The Mayor wishes everyone Newroz pîroz be, for Kurdish New Year
Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, wishes everyone a happy Newroz, Kurdish New Year, and shares condolences and solidarity from the Council to all those affected by the recent earthquakes:
This week is Newroz, Kurdish New Year. We are proud of the many families and Kurdish institutions, businesses, shops and restaurants which call Hackney home and have enhanced our borough. Many Kurdish residents have dedicated their life to public service, charity work, culture and community service for decades. Hackney is a richer place for the contributions from our diverse Kurdish and Turkish communities, they are our much valued friends, neighbours and colleagues.
Following the recent earthquakes this year, Newroz will be overshadowed for many, and could be an incredibly difficult time for Kurdish, Turkish, Alevi, Syrian and other Levantine communities. This will make the usual celebrations for Newroz all the more poignant, especially in the most impacted areas in Turkey and Syria.
I therefore want to share my condolences, solidarity and best wishes to all those who continue to be affected by recent tragic events. As a Council we continue to support organisations supporting the community in Hackney and in Turkey and Syria, including making the case alongside neighbouring boroughs for a visa scheme to support family reunion.
Newroz pîroz be!
Anyone concerned about relatives or friends should call the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London on 020 7008 5000.
And disaster relief donations will still be received by the British Red Cross and the Turkish Red Crescent.