Welcome to the
WORLD WARS MUSLIM MEMORIAL TRUST
ABOUT US
The World Wars Muslim Memorial Trust was conceived in November 2015, on the initiative of Tazi Husain, a retired NHS consultant surgeon, and inspired by Dr Irfan Malik, a practicing Nottingham GP. They both felt that in the Centenary commemoration of World War 1, the contribution of the Indian Subcontinent, in particular of Muslim soldiers, had been largely forgotten.
Subedar Karim Khan, IDSM (behind flag) and Naik Mohammad Yakub, IDSM, both 2/1 Punjab Regiment, with a Japanese flag brought back by a successful raiding party in Burma. Yakub was later killed in a gallant action on 19 May 1944, while his company was attempting to open the Imphal-Kohima road. Subedar Ram Sarup Singh of this battalion won the Victoria Cross for valour at Kennedy Peak in September 1944. (Source: Rana Chhina)
Infantry Officer (Punjabi Muslim) by W. Luker junr (source Rana Chhina)
DESIGN
The intention has been to devise a memorial which in nature is both Classical and Islamic. The main inspiration for the memorial has been the minaret or column, a familiar feature in both Islamic societies and western cultures. Another source of inspiration has been the Mughal architecture of Pakistan and Northwest India from where many of the soldiers came who are celebrated by the memorial.
HISTORY
Why were Indian troops involved in the two World Wars?
The short answer is they had no choice.
When the British Government declared war on Germany, both in August 1914 and in September 1939, it was not just the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the British Isles that they were committing to war but all military troops of what was then known as the British Empire. This included the Dominions of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa, and the many British territories scattered across the globe including, of course, India from where many of the Muslim soldiers were recruited.
Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck with officers of 1st Punjab Regiment (source S Husain)
