UK Constructing Memorial for Millions of Muslim World War Soldiers: A Tribute to Forgotten Heroes
The UK is constructing a memorial dedicated to the millions of Muslim soldiers and laborers who fought for the Allied powers during both World Wars.
The 13.2-meter-tall monument, located at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, will be inscribed with personal stories and stand as a tribute to the approximately 2.5 million who served in the First World War and the 5.5 million in the Second World War.
The memorial has been in the planning stages for several years and will be made of brick and terracotta.
The text is about the upcoming memorial for Muslim soldiers who served in World War I, designed by Benny O’Looney.
The architect explains that the memorial is meant to draw visitors in with its intricate details and craftsmanship, showcasing the Muslim soldiers' service and their crucial role in saving the expeditionary forces on the Western Front.
The design is inspired by Islamic calligraphy from the Indian subcontinent.
Irfan Malik, a doctor from Nottingham with ancestry in the military, expresses his excitement for the memorial's completion to remember and honor the forgotten history of Muslim soldiers in both World Wars.
The memorial will be located on a site with existing memorials for Sikhs, Gurkhas, and others.
The text describes the military background of the author's family.
Two of the author's great-grandfathers, Capt. Ghulam Mohammad and Subedar Mohammad Khan, served in the Great War.
Additionally, both of the author's grandfathers served in the Second World War, also in Burma.
All of these men were originally from Dulmial village, which is located in the Salt Range in Punjab, present-day Pakistan, and is known for its military contributions.