YOUNG students were sent on a trip to learn about how Muslims fought alongside the British Army

The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment organised the trip and invited Blackburn’s Tauheedul Boys School, and two of community organisation One Voice groups among others to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on 28 September.

At the memorial, the young people were given a history of how Muslim soldiers from all over the world, particularly the Indian Army, fought for Britain in World War Two.

Major Bob Smethurst with the DOL Regiment, who helped organise the day, said: “We are conscious that Muslim soldiers that fought for us in the war have not been commemorated.

“People do not always know how many Muslims helped fight for this country, and we wanted to invite them to learn about it, so they could tell friends and colleagues of it.”

It is estimated 1.5 million Indian soldiers fought for Britain in WW1, with 400,000 of those troops being Muslim.

Saniya Hussain, 19, from One Voice Group WEGS, said: “I learnt so much about the impact made by the Muslim soldiers in the major wars.”

Yasira Patel, 17, said: “The influence of the Muslims in wars and peace keeping efforts have been largely airbrushed from mainstream history.

“These events need to be expanded and encouraged.”

Faz Patel, advisor to the DOL regiment, is now looking to give talks leading up to Remembrance Day, where he will talk about why Muslims should be paying their respects on the day.

Mr Patel said: “Many people are unaware that Muslims came from all over the world to fight for this country.

“I want to teach young people about the history, and that they should commemorate all of the fallen soldiers.

“I met a former Indian soldier who fought in the war for Britain, and he said, ‘for your tomorrow we gave our today,’ and it shows that we all have a duty to pay our respects.

“There are more Muslim people now than ever, who realise this and are commemorating along with others who recognise those who gave their lives.”