Tri-Service

Remembrance Day Services To Be Led By Imam For First Time

This week, Imam Asim Hafiz (OBE) will lead a Remembrance service for British soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War.

In the first commemoration of its kind, the UK Armed Forces' first Muslim chaplain will conduct the ceremony after prolonged pressure from the local council.

BuzzFeed News first reported the development which comes at a poignant time for the Muslim community in Woking.

100 years ago the Muslim Burial Ground was built to inter 21 Indians who died fighting for Britain during the First world War.

Built near the Shah Jahan Mosque, at that time the only mosque in England, Woking's World War One cemetery still stands.

Imam Asim Hafiz is one of the most senior Muslims in the British Army and Islamic advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff.

This will be the first time an Islamic-led service will take place in the UK, honouring all those who have fought and died for Britain, not just Muslims.

A Christian priest will also be present at the ceremony, which will be attended by Prince Edward and Defence Minister Lord Howe.

Mr Hafiz told BuzzFeed News he hoped the commemoration would encourage more Muslims to join the Army, and hinted that the Armed Forces were not currently diverse enough.

“I think the Armed Forces could be better at reflecting our society,” he said.

The Imam cited research by British Futures showing that only 2% of British people know the scale of the Muslim contribution to the First World War, in which almost half a million Muslims from pre-partition India fought alongside British soldiers.

Hafiz said: “What we’re doing now is making sure that history is not forgotten and that is not only their history but also the sacrifice of their comrades.

“It will in my view raise awareness for both Muslims and non-Muslims to realise that they [Muslims] have played a role in the defence of the UK, that Muslims have contributed to the defence of British people, and that there’s no contradiction between being Muslim and being in the Armed Forces.

“There was no contradiction a hundred years ago and there’s no contradiction today.”

Forces TV will have live coverage of Armistice Day from PJHQ, the nerve-centre for all of Britain's military operations overseas, from 10.30am this Wednesday. We'll also be live on Periscope in Trafalgar Square for the Royal British Legion's 'Silence in the Square'.