The UK is set to erect a war memorial commemorating the millions of Muslim soldiers who fought alongside British and Commonwealth forces during the two world wars, as per a report by Sky News. Standing at 13.2 meters tall, the monument will find its place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, showcasing the personal stories of these soldiers engraved on brick and terracotta.
Approximately 2.5 million Muslim soldiers and laborers served in the Allied powers’ militaries during the First World War, followed by 5.5 million in the Second World War. Benny O’Looney, the memorial’s architect, expressed that the design, inspired by Islamic calligraphy and journeys to the Indian subcontinent, aims to present a panoramic narrative of Muslim soldiers’ service from the trenches of 1914 to their pivotal roles in later campaigns.
The memorial, joining existing tributes to Sikhs, Gurkhas, and others, holds profound significance for individuals like Irfan Malik, whose ancestors served in both world wars. Malik views the monument as a means to remember the forgotten history of Muslim soldiers and educate younger generations, fostering community cohesion and honoring the sacrifices made in the name of freedom.
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