BYLINE: Gohar Almass-Khan
Remembrance Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a time to pause, reflect, and honour those who gave their lives for our freedom.
For me, this year’s Remembrance Service in Leeds was a deeply moving experience, one that reaffirmed the power of unity and the enduring strength of shared humanity.
As a proud Muslim and former Leeds City Councillor who once served as the city’s Armed Forces Champion, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people of all faiths and none was profoundly humbling.
On a crisp November morning, I joined fellow faith leaders – Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Christian, alongside veterans, cadets, members of the Armed Forces, and representatives from the Blue Light services.
The Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire attended on behalf of His Majesty the King, adding a sense of solemn dignity to the proceedings.
For me, remembrance is also personal.
My grandfather and his brothers served as decorated soldiers in the Second World War, recognised for their bravery and gallantry.
Their service, like that of so many from the Indian subcontinent, is a reminder that the story of Britain’s wartime sacrifice is a shared one.
Around 1.5 million Indian soldiers served in the First World War, and over 2.5 million volunteered in the Second World War – the largest volunteer army in history.
They were Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh soldiers who fought side by side for a freedom they might never fully share.
Too often, their names and stories are left untold. It is our collective duty to ensure they are remembered in our schools, our communities, and our national narrative.
Their contribution forms the foundation of modern Britain – a Britain built on diversity, courage, and unity.
As a father, I felt immense pride knowing my daughters were also marking Remembrance Day, serving as Royal Air Force Air Cadets with the 168 City of Leeds Squadron.
Watching a new generation step forward gives me hope. It reminds me that remembrance is not only about the past but about shaping the future – one built on peace, respect, and justice.
Those who seek to divide us will always fail. The spirit of remembrance shows that unity is our greatest strength, and diversity our greatest asset. In that moment, standing among people of all backgrounds, I felt the warmth of solidarity cut through the November chill.
We owe it to those who fought and fell to continue their legacy – to build bridges, not barriers; to stand for peace over prejudice; and to create a world where no life is lost to hate or war.
Today, we remember the fallen. Tomorrow, we honour them by living the values they died to protect – unity, peace, and justice for all.
