The Forgotten Heroes Foundation 14-19 has documented the contribution of Muslim soldiers who fought and worked for the allied forces during World War I.
The foundation recently has discovered “previously unknown stories of the diversity in the First World War by uncovering unique documents in English, French, Urdu, Arabic and Farsi – including photographs, field reports, personal diaries, and letters.” Approximately two million Muslim soldiers and laborers around the world volunteered to fight in the war, according to recent findings.
Luc Ferrier started the foundation in 2012 after becoming fascinated by Muslim contributions during World War I when he discovered his great-grandfather’s diaries where he referenced the many “Mohammedans” he encountered in the trenches. Mr. Ferrier started documenting the role of Muslims during the war, discovering little known facts such as that Muslim soldiers helped feed hungry civilians and that they were known to humanely treat prisoners of war.
“We can show that [Muslims] have sacrificed their lives for a free Europe, have helped to make it what it is [today] and that they have a right to be here,” declares Mr. Ferrier.
