Labour unveils plan to build £1million war memorial in tribute to Muslim soldiers

The Government is launching a design competition for a permanent national war memorial in England that will honour the contributions of Muslim service personnel during World War One and Two.

Funding of up to £970,000 has been made available for the project, which aims to create a lasting tribute to Muslims who served in British military efforts.

The competition will open on June 10, inviting organisations to submit proposals for the memorial's design and construction.

The planned monument is intended to serve as both a place for reflection and an educational resource about Muslim soldiers' wartime service.

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Faith and communities minister Nesil Caliskan emphasised the significance of recognising these service personnel, stating: "Our country is made up of a strong, diverse tapestry of different faith communities and we owe that freedom to the bravery and sacrifice made by those who fought alongside us for a better future all those years ago."

The minister highlighted that Muslim soldiers played a crucial role in achieving victory, adding: "Muslim soldiers were a fundamental part of securing victory, but their story has been in the shadows for too long."

She said the memorial would ensure their contribution remains in public memory "now, and for generations to come".

Government estimates suggest a minimum of 400,000 Muslim soldiers served during World War One alone.

One notable figure among them was Khudadad Khan, believed to be the first Muslim recipient of the Victoria Cross in that conflict.

His act of bravery occurred at Hollebeke in Belgium in 1914, where he found himself the sole survivor after his fellow soldiers were killed.

Despite being alone, Mr Khan maintained fire with his machine gun, holding back German forces long enough for reinforcements to reach the position.

Though wounded in the fight, he managed to crawl back to his regiment under the cover of darkness.

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Charities, companies and local authorities across England will be eligible to enter the competition.

Applicants must identify their own proposed location for the memorial and demonstrate how they intend to obtain planning permission.

Successful submissions will need to present realistic construction schedules and outline plans for community engagement, with particular emphasis on involving Muslim communities and armed forces groups.

The memorial will join several existing monuments recognising diverse contributions to British military history.

Including the Memorial Gates near Buckingham Palace honouring soldiers from the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the Caribbean, the Women of World War Two monument in Whitehall, and Brixton's African and Caribbean War Memorial.

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