The Ministry of Defence is to take a group of British Muslim teenagers from Birmingham to visit two war memorials commemorating the sacrifice made by their ancestors in defence of Britain.
The youngsters from Bordesley Green will first visit the India Memorial at Neuve Chappelle in France and then cross the border into Belgium to attend an evening ceremony at the Mennen Gate in Ypres.
Serving Muslim soldiers are to accompany the teenagers during the educational trip on Monday October 25th organised by the Bordesley Green Detached Youth Project and the Army.
Abdul Ghaffar, from Birmingham City Council’s Bordesley Green Detached Youth Project, said “This will be a first ever trip of its kind for these young people from the Bordesley Green Ward.
“We feel it is vital for them to realise that these War Memorials, like countless other First and Second World War Memorials around the world, are emblazoned with Muslim names and represent the tens of thousands of Muslims, who stood as part of Britain and fought bravely, and fell defending this country.”
Large numbers of these Muslim soldiers were from the villages of Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Pakistan as well as Chittagong and Barisal Bangladesh – communities heavily represented in Birmingham.
Most of the youths taking part in the visit originate from these areas and will therefore be able to make an emotional connection with these memorials and feel proud of their heritage.
Cllr Les Lawrence, Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “This trip reminds young British Muslims of the huge sacrifice made by their ancestors during the two World Wars. It is a legacy that they should be proud of and reinforces the vital contribution that all our diverse communities have made both to this city and the country as a whole.”
The India War memorial at Neuve Chappelle in France commemorates some 4742 Indian soldiers with no known grave, who fell in battle while fighting for the British Indian Army in WWI. The location of the memorial was chosen because of the participation by Indian troops at the Battle of Neuve Chappell.
Lt Col Stuart Cattermull, commander of regional recruiting for the West Midlands, said: “The purpose of this visit is to acknowledge the contributions made by Asian soldiers in WWI. We are working in partnership with the Muslim community in Birmingham to highlight what an important role they played in the wars, along with their commonwealth counterparts, and provide them with the opportunity to pay their respects at the same time”.
The Muslim Chaplain to the Armed Forces Imam Asim Hafis will also join the group and will lead a short remembrance service at the India Memorial in France.
ENDS
Further information from Shahid Naqvi 0121 303 3635.
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