Marking the beginning of Islam Awareness Week

Respected historian Jahan Mahmood will discuss the role of Muslims during the two World Wars. He will be discussing items exhibited in a collection of artefacts, weapons and pictures and delivering a talk on the contribution of 400,000 Muslim soldiers enlisted into the British Indian Army.

Mr Mahmood lists some fascinating statistics, including a massive 1.3m men who had enlisted in the British Indian Army by Armistice Day at a time when India and Pakistan were one country.

The majority of the soldiers were Muslim or Hindu, making up around one half of the British Indian Army, while battalions included Sikh, Gurkha and British in active service mainly on the Western Front, Gallipoli, the Middle East and East Africa.

Around 74,000 men died on the battlefield and a further 100,000 survived injury.

A spokesman for Islam Awareness Week said the events are designed to engage the people of Scotland, “regardless of faith”, and visitors will be welcomed into Mosques during special events.

He told The Extra: “Its aims are to instil a greater understanding of Islam and celebrate the unity and diversity of Muslim Scots as an integrated part of the Scottish community.

“It is about embracing and nurturing the community we live in to provide a safe and secure society for all of us and for future generations to come.”

Since the year 2000 a theme has been chosen to highlight a particular issue that is of common concern across communities. The theme for 2015 is Give a Little of Yourself, acknowledging the contributions of Scottish Muslims and their role in society.

Look out for more news and events on Islam Awareness Week in The Extra.