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  "path": "/news/labour-war-memorial-tribute-muslim-soldiers",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-27T14:22:45.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "World War 2 veteran tells GB News 'in England we don't remember' as group honoured in the Netherlands",
    "WW2 veteran labels victory over Nazis 'waste of time' and claims migrant crisis proves 'UK has gone right downhill'",
    "'What is it?' Gen Z Britons left baffled as GB News quizzes them on VE Day",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nThe 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.\n\nFunding 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.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe competition will open on June 10, inviting organisations to submit proposals for the memorial's design and construction.\n\nThe planned monument is intended to serve as both a place for reflection and an educational resource about Muslim soldiers' wartime service.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFaith 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.\"\n\nThe 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.\"\n\nShe said the memorial would ensure their contribution remains in public memory \"now, and for generations to come\".\n\nGovernment estimates suggest a minimum of 400,000 Muslim soldiers served during World War One alone.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOne notable figure among them was Khudadad Khan, believed to be the first Muslim recipient of the Victoria Cross in that conflict.\n\nHis act of bravery occurred at Hollebeke in Belgium in 1914, where he found himself the sole survivor after his fellow soldiers were killed.\n\nDespite being alone, Mr Khan maintained fire with his machine gun, holding back German forces long enough for reinforcements to reach the position.\n\nThough wounded in the fight, he managed to crawl back to his regiment under the cover of darkness.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * World War 2 veteran tells GB News 'in England we don't remember' as group honoured in the Netherlands\n  * WW2 veteran labels victory over Nazis 'waste of time' and claims migrant crisis proves 'UK has gone right downhill'\n  * 'What is it?' Gen Z Britons left baffled as GB News quizzes them on VE Day\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nCharities, companies and local authorities across England will be eligible to enter the competition.\n\nApplicants must identify their own proposed location for the memorial and demonstrate how they intend to obtain planning permission.\n\nSuccessful 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.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe memorial will join several existing monuments recognising diverse contributions to British military history.\n\nIncluding 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.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**\n**\n\n**\n**\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Labour unveils plan to build £1million war memorial in tribute to Muslim soldiers"
}