More than 55,000 people died in the February quakes that hit Turkey and Syria

Rescuers looking for survivors from a collapsed building in Turkey (credit VOA/Wikimedia Commons)

A memorial service for the victims of last month’s earthquakes in Turkey and Syria will be held this Saturday in Edmonton.

The disaster that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on 6th February claimed at least 55,000 lives, including the friends and relatives of many Enfield residents with connections to the area.

The British Alevi Federation in Great Cambridge Road has led local relief efforts, raising thousands of pounds for aid operations in the region and to support local people who have been affected.

The BAF is now organisaing an earthquake memorial service this Saturday, 18th March, from 2pm. This wil be held at its main base in the borough, the Enfield Alevi Cultural Centre in Churchfields Recreation Ground, Great Cambridge Road (N9 9LE).

The service will be bilingual, in both Turkish and English.

Dliek Incedal and Muslum Dalkilic, co-chairs of the BAF, said in a joint statement: “Alevism is a humanist belief giving great importance to humanity and nature. A very large proportion of those living in the area which was affected by the earthquakes are Alevi.

“Unfortunately, so many lives were lost unnecessarily during this disaster. We will be holding a memorial event taking place on 18th March for those who died in the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.”

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