Remembrance Day - Remembering Muslim Sacrifices

Remembrance Day Poster by Saadia Ashraf

Poppy by Ammara Waris Yunus Khan, Age 2

Poppy by Izna Saeed Age 6

Poppy by Ashra Saeed Age 11

Poster By Ashra Saeed

Izna Saeed

Winner of Remembrance Day "Colour your Poppy" competition

Ashra Saeed

Winner of Remembrance Day "Colour your Poppy" Competition

Ashra Saeed

Winner of Remembrance Day Poster Competition

Ammara Waris Yunus Khan

Winner of Remembrance Day "Colour your Poppy" competition

As the Royal British Legion website says: "We unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from Britain and the Commonwealth." In addition, "Remembrance unites people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds but it is also deeply personal."

We, at Northstowe Muslims, would like to take this opportunity to remember the sacrifices of Muslims during wars and military conflict since the onset of World War I. For them we read, Surah Al-Fatiha (Glorious Quran Chapter 1 Verse 1 - 7), "In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful . [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray".

At least 2.5 million Muslim soldiers and labourers from all over the world fought with the allied forces with dignity and honour. During WW1, the British Indian Army numbered over 1.3 million, and at least 400,000 were Muslims.

It is said that 5.5 million Muslims participated on the allied side of the war during WWII. Nearly 1.5 million Muslims were killed in action. By World War II, the British Indian Army had grown significantly to 2.5 million. Of this approximately 1 million were Muslims.

The list of names forgotten, or never known by most, is long, however here are a few notable heroes mentioned below:

Khudadad Khan - Victoria Cross

Khudadad Khan - was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1914 and was the first non-white person to receive it. He single-handedly held off the Germans with his machine gun, despite being badly wounded, until reinforcements could arrive.

Ali Haider

Ali Haidar - who, in Italy during WWII, was one of three soldiers who survived crossing the Senio River under heavy and accurate enemy fire. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his “conspicuous gallantry, initiative and determination” in the face of heavy odds

Noor Inayat Khan

Noor Inayat Khan - as a Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent under the codename Madeleine she became the first female wireless operator to be sent from the UK to occupied France to aid the French Resistance during WWII. She was posthumously awarded the George Cross for her service in the SOE, the highest civilian decoration for gallantry.

Jabron Hashmi

Jabron Hashmi - killed in action in Afghanistan in 2006. His sacrifice marks a legacy for British Muslim personnel and their part in building a more diverse British Armed Forces.

It is stories such as these, which reminds us that why we should wear our poppies with pride this Remembrance Day; not just to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of these individuals, but also to celebrate the huge contribution that Muslims have made in shaping the Britain we know today.