LONDON: Politicians and Muslim community leaders in the UK are calling for greater recognition in schools of Asian soldiers who fought for Britain during the two world wars, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.
The appeal comes on the 110th anniversary of the first Muslim recipient of the Victoria Cross medal.
Campaigners say greater awareness of the sacrifice of Commonwealth soldiers could help tackle racism and Islamophobia in the UK.
The story of Khudadad Khan is at the center of the appeal. The machine-gunner was injured in 1914 as he tried to prevent German troops from capturing vital territory in France and Belgium, holding off an enemy advance long enough for reinforcements to arrive despite being wounded and outnumbered.
He was the only survivor of the battle, and was presented with the Victoria Cross by King George V in 1915.
After the war Khan returned to Pakistan, which was then part of pre-partition India. The Imperial War Museum in London displays his Victoria Cross.
Khan’s heroism is being highlighted by Leeds Imam Qari Asim, chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board; Labour MP Calvin Bailey; and House of Lords member Sayeeda Warsi, whose two grandfathers fought in the Second World War.
They say Khan’s story should feature prominently during the 80th anniversary commemorations of VE Day next year as part of a larger campaign to combat racism and Islamophobia in Britain.
Asim highlighted his alarm over the nationwide rioting that took place earlier this year. “It was frightening this summer to see a toxic minority attacking mosques and threatening Muslims in their community,” he said.
“If they knew this country’s history — what Khudadad Khan and thousands of other Muslim soldiers did for Britain in the world wars — perhaps they would think differently.
“We should do more to raise awareness, among Muslims and non-Muslims alike, of this service and sacrifice. We are all part of Britain’s history and that’s something we can commemorate together.”
Research conducted earlier this year by Focaldata for British Future found that 77 percent of the UK public believe that it is important for integration that school students are taught “shared history.”
A further 85 percent agreed that the history of all Commonwealth soldiers who fought for Britain should be taught in school.
Warsi said: “We saw the very worst of Britain this summer, as an angry few turned their anger first on ethnic and faith minorities, and then on the police doing their job to protect people.
“Next month we will remember the men and women whose service and sacrifice helped defend our freedoms.
“Those armies in the world wars included men like Khudadad Khan and soldiers from Africa and the Caribbean; they included both my grandfathers, too. Then, as now, Britain is at its best when we stand together.”
