Inaugural Commemoration at the Muslim Burial Ground in Woking

An open air commemoration service was hosted at the Muslim Burial Ground, Horsell Common, Woking on Sunday 16 July 2017.The service marked the anniversary of the first Muslim soldier, killed during the Great War, buried at the Muslim Burial Ground on 16 July 1915. This site became the final resting place of 19 Muslim Soldiers from the Great War and a further eight soldiers from World War 2.

The event was attended by local Lib Dem councillors Louise Morales and Deborah Hughes. Commenting on the day Cllr Louise Morales said: "This was a beautiful occasion with a focus on peace. There were representatives from so many different organisations military, Christian and Muslim, joining us here in Woking, for this lovely commemoration. This event links Woking's historic and modern mulit-cultural heritage, a source of pride for all Woking residents."

Located in the south east corner of Horsell Common and a short distance from the Shah Jahan Mosque (the UK's first purpose-built Mosque), the site was purchased by the War Office and a burial ground commissioned in 1915 to ensure Muslim soldiers could be buried in accordance with their religious rights.