A memorial will be built to Muslim soldiers who fought and died alongside British and Allied forces in two world wars.
Set to be erected at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Staffordshire, the 13.2m minaret-like structure will be constructed from bricks and terracotta sourced from different parts of the United Kingdom and inscribed with stories of Muslim soldiers who fought for the crown . .
Architect Benny O’Looney, who designed the memorial, told Sky News he was inspired by travels to the Indian subcontinent.
He said: “The idea is that as you approach the memorial you are drawn to it. And you can see there’s more detail, more information, more skill.
“The idea is to show a panorama of the service of Muslim soldiers in the World War since the courageous year 1914. This incredible narrative of bridging the gap and saving the expeditionary forces on the Western Front.”
Reportedly, at least 2.5 million Muslim soldiers and workers fought with Allied forces in World War I and 5.5 million in World War II. Nearly 1.5 million Muslims were killed in combat.
The memorial’s design tells the story of sacrifice while reviving traditional crafts, and O’Looney says it will incorporate the work of a sculptor and an Islamic calligrapher.
Artistic sketch of the monument
Its site was chosen in the NMA, a 150-acre visitor site on the edge of the National Forest, alongside memorials commemorating Sikhs, Gurkhas and others.
Irfan Malik’s ancestors served in both world wars.
“Both my great-grandfathers, Captain Ghulam Mohammad and Subedar [roughly equivalent to warrant officer] Mohammad Khan were part of the Great War, and both my grandfathers were part of the Second World War serving in Burma,” the Nottingham GP told Sky News.
“They all descended from the village of Dulmial, which is in the Salt Range in Punjab, in present-day Pakistan, a very famous military village.”
Irfan Malik’s great-grandfather, Subedar Mohammad Khan
Dr. Malik said the memorial at NMA has been in the works for several years.
“I am very happy that we are close to fruition now, so that we can remember this forgotten history of Muslim soldiers in both World Wars and look at Muslim contributions globally as well,” he said.
“It will be a symbol of remembrance of these campaigns, the sacrifices made, and also an opportunity to educate our younger generation to improve community cohesion in this country.”
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
