TRALEE UNITES

TRALEE GATHERS TO PROMOTE PEACE AND TO REMEMBER THE RECENT VICTIMS OF ATTACKS

TRALEE’S Square came to a standstill on Monday evening as members of the public observed a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of recent terrorist attacks in Manchester, Syria, Egypt and all over the world.

The vigil was organised by Rizwan Khan, Chairperson of the Kerry Islamic Outreach Society (KIOS) and local woman Sylvia Thompson, both of whom spoke about the need for tolerance, understanding and respect in the face of increased violence in the world.

“Everyone gathered here are from all different families and, here in Tralee, we have people from a multitude of different cultures, faiths and beliefs,” said Sylvia, speaking at the vigil on Monday.

“Our world at the moment is a very, very troubled place and anyone who woke up last Monday and heard the news of that awful attack in Manchester, a place that many of us have visited and maybe even are from, we can’t help but be shaken by it.”

“There are so many attacks happening acrosss the world right now in Egypt, Syria, Iraq; thankfully though we have peace here in Ireland and we are all here together this evening to show that we are together and that we are united in promoting peace,” she said.

“The one reason that we are here this evening – this big crowd of us – is for peace. We have to open our hearts to the people who suffer,” said Rizwan, speaking on Monday.

“We have people coming here for a new life from wartorn countries. Here in Tralee, they are able to find a better sanctuary for themselves from the fear they felt before.”

“Let us all celebrate our multiculturalism,” he said.

Photo by Fergus Dennehy. The Tralee public came together for a public vigil in The Square on Monday evening where they remembered the victims of recent attacks in Manchester, Egypt and Syria.