Free Exhibition on Muslims' Role in First World War Opens in Hammersmith
Singularity of Peace runs till October at Riverside Building in Manbre Road
A new exhibition on Hammersmith's riverside called Singularity of Peace highlights the often forgotten role of Muslims during the First World War, as the centenary of the armistice approaches.
The exhibition runs at the Riverside Building in Manbre Road until 4 October, with part of the show giving a free platform to 100 emerging artists.
Up to three million Muslims contributed to the Allied cause in the war, as soldiers and labourers, drawn from across Africa, India, the Far East, Middle East, Russia and the USA.
Luc Ferrier, a 54-year-old Belgian researcher and founder of the Forgotten Heroes 14-19 Foundation, has urged artists from all cultures and faiths to contribute.
"It was previously estimated that less than half a million Muslim soldiers participated in the conflict, but new research puts the figure closer to three million," he said.
"With the simultaneous rise of the Far Right and Muslim extremism, and at a time when Europe and much of the world is besieged with conflict, we believe our exhibition has the potential to build new bridges, mend broken ones and open new dialogues."
The exhibition, organised with HF ArtsFest and the charity Uthink, has two parts. The first gives artists under 30 a chance to display work via the website Singularity of Peace.
The second draws on Luc Ferrier’s book, The Unknown Fallen, to document the role of forgotten soldiers in the bloody conflict.
Ferrier began his research seven years ago after stumbling upon his grandfather’s war journal. The trail took him to 19 countries, unearthing a total of 850,000 letters and reports telling the tale of Muslims’ part in the war.
Muslim graves appear in many of the war cemeteries which dot northern France; the headstones distinguishable from others as they tilt eastwards towards Mecca.
H&F Council Deputy Leader Cllr Sue Fennimore, said she hoped that as many residents as possible would get to the exhibition.
"This show recognises the contribution made by so many Muslim soldiers in the First World War, and as the 100th anniversary of the end of the conflict approaches it makes it all the more important to mark their largely overlooked role," she said.
Hammersmith is the first location in a worldwide tour planned around Luc's new book. The exhibition at the Riverside Building, Manbre Wharf, Manbre Road, W6, is free, and is open daily until 4 October from 10am-5.30pm.
The Unknown Fallen: Image taken in West Africa
Arts based charity Uthink pdp - short for People Developing People - moved into the empty building Riverside Building in spring and provides affordable studio space, workshops and exhibitions for artists of all disciplines.
The programme for the next three months includes classes covering a wide range of subjects including drawing and painting, filmmaking and creating home-made cards and polymer flowers. There are also storytelling business book camps aimed at local start ups.
Find out more at Uthink's website.
September 14, 2018
