When Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, en route to Kyiv from Tehran, was shot down killing all 176 passengers, the impact of the loss was felt around the world, including Prince George.
A crowd of more than 100 people filled St. Michael’s All Angels Church Sunday afternoon (Jan. 26) to support the Iranian community of Prince George and to remember the lives lost in the tragedy.
Many of those killed in the crash were on their way back to their studies in universities and secondary schools across Canada.
“We know everyone on board that plane were victims of a chain of action that are rooted in human failure to solve conflict peacefully,” said Farahnaz Soufinia, one of the organizers of the event.
“Whether we knew these people or not, we believe when any person or community suffers, the whole human community suffers.”
Soufinia, along with Dr. Marie Hay, are co-chairs of the Centre of Peace and Reconciliation which hosted the ceremony.
It began with the lighting of a candle as a universal symbol of living hope and eternity in memory of all the victims of the crash.
Then, while the band Navaz performed, as a part of Persian tradition, the community was invited to place flower petals on a memorial table as a symbol of a beautiful life that’s come to an end.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the Iranian community of Prince George who have worked so diligently so organize this evening and who, despite their own deep grief and loss, have opened their arms today to welcome each and every one of you,” said Hay.
“We all need help during difficult times. Your physical presence here is saying to the Iranian community ‘I am here for you. You are not alone in your loss.’"
The memorial was also attended by Mayor Lyn Hall and Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, who each gave heartfelt speeches about the impact of the tragedy on the community.
“Today as we gather to commemorate those folks that lost their lives and the families that are impacted, it’s an opportunity for us to look at what the city is all about – to look at the fortitude of our city and what we are made of – to look at the warmth we provide individuals in their time of need,” said Hall.
Bond spoke of how the pain from this tragedy has reached Prince George.
“I do want to reflect on the fact that I feel very blessed to live in this community because if you look around the room today we are here together,” said Bond.
“People of different faiths, who come from different countries and who have different lifestyle sand values, but we are here for one reason and that is to express our grief and our sorrow and to support the Iranian families who are such an important part of the community that we live in.”
UNBC's Dr. Hossein Kazemian, head of Northern Analytical Laboratory Services, shared a story about his relationship with one of the victims, University of Manitoba student Amirhossein Ghasemi.
Kazemian explained during the Iran-Iraq War, one of his friends and classmate became captured, but thankfully returned one year later.
He said the two lost touch over the years until Kazemian received a call from his friend about three years ago.
“He called me and he said Houssain ‘I want to change my son’s future and I want to send him to Canada’,” said Kazemian, explaining he then would help his friend’s son, Amirhossein, with advice about university in Canada.
“I did not hear from him until the day of the accident. My brother texted me and said Amirhossein was one of the passengers on the plane. I was just devastated,” said Kazemian.
“I feel because I know them and because I have a son their age and my son is in Japan right now. That could be a story of any one of us.”
The memorial concluded with those in attendance sharing stories of their connections to Iran, the victims or their thoughts on the tragedy, followed by an hour of mingling alongside tea, coffee and treats.
“This speaks to the fact that why we have chosen Prince George as our second home,” said Soufinia about the turnout and support for the event.
“We did already know that Prince George is so welcoming and has such amazing people but honestly I did not expect such a great turnout — I am so impressed by the welcoming attitude.”
