“Visiting Japan”
It was a great opportunity to visit Japan and we are pleased to be part of the peace core. As a member of Mayors for Peace, I participated in the 8th General Conference in Hiroshima and Nagasaki which lasted six days.
As the mayor of Rwanduz-Kurdistan, my mission was to represent my city as well as Kurds and Kurdistan. On August 4th, at the Hiroshima Memorial Center, I addressed my speech and was able to introduce the City of Rwandz ,it’s great history, and expressed the dark days that we experienced from the genocide and Al- Anfal campaign during Saddam Hussain’s era in 1980s. I also had the privilege of attending both memorials in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There were many people in attendance that payed respect to the fallen victims, including the prime minister of Japan. It was so interesting to meet the ordinary and the VIP Japanese people. We met with both mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the house speaker of Japans parliament, as well as with hundreds of Mayors for Peace members.
The main point that I want to highlight is the great attitude and behavior of the Japanese people. Regardless to the horrific event of atomic bombardments on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese are so peaceful, soft, nice, helpful, disciplined, and organized. The old generation looked tired and seemed to have a hard time because of the effects of the tragedies and the negative impact of radiation on their bodies. Some of the marks they suffered from are still present on their bodies. I also had an opportunity to meet some of the atomic bomb survivors and they presented their testimonies. For example, Mr. Yoshiro Yamawaki, said “I pray that no one else will ever experience the brutal tragedy that I witnessed at the age of eleven. There are still many people in the world who do not know how fearful and cruel nuclear weapons are.” He also stated “please lend us your strength to eliminate nuclear weapons from the face of the earth and make sure that Nagasaki is the last place on earth to suffer an atomic bombing. Let us all work together to build a peaceful world free of war”.
However, the new generation seemed to be very happy because of the constant wonderful smiles they had on their faces.
It’s so amazing that even with all the destruction that brought this country down, the people of Japan able to stand up again so powerfully and do everything in their hands to be pioneers and seek to create peace worldwide.
I noticed that they are so respectful, helpful, and full of kindness. In addition, their aim is to have the world be free of nuclear weapon by 2020. There are many peace organizations in Japan and countries abroad who are working hard to stop the violence and to prevent humanity from any similar tragedies.
The Japanese people show their extreme respect and kindness to each other and foreigners. While asking them questions, if you are standing, they stand in front of you and both of their hands are on their laps and they bend three times. If you are sitting while you are asking, they will sit on the ground trying their best to satisfy you.
I happened to visit a salon named Ray Field in Nagasaki with my daughter, and I noticed as consumers, they treated us in the best way. When the customers left , the employees were following behind them and were bending while deporting them in a polite way.
I may not be able to define or express my feelings and the reality of Japanese traditions, but I know that our God mentioned in the Quran that the country and it’s people “JAPAN” is “Al-Balad Al-Tayeb”, which means “the country of kindness.”
Sincerely,
Serwan Sereni
Mayors for Peace Member
Rwandz – Kurdistan / Iraq
Nagasaki-Japan
August 10, 2013