The Muslim Tommies

Two of Peshkar’s alumni have taken part in a BBC1 docudrama about the support that Muslim soldiers  gave to the struggle during World War One.

Regular Peshkar participant Arif Mohid and our very own Conor Ibrahiem portray Tommies from pre-partition India in the British Army during the Great War.

Conor, who is a working actor in addition to his role as Peshkar’s Creative Learning Officer said: “It is often forgotten that Muslims have fought on behalf of Britain for hundreds of years; thousands have lost their lives in the process.”

Arif, who came through the Young Peshkar youth theatre programme, was very pleased with the opportunity and added: “This is just an example of the type of skills and opportunities available through working with PESHKAR and where it can take you.”

Using simple reconstructions, this film gives voice to some of the Muslim soldiers who fought in the trenches of France as part of the Indian Corps. Censors office reports from the time included many translated letters which document what life was like on the front line.

The letters contain fascinating but often heart-breaking details about the religious practices, sense of identity, hopes, fears, injuries and brave actions of the soldiers from 1914 – 1918.

To watch The Muslim Tommies click on the link below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mk54l