Future Is Golden For Muslim Burial Ground
12 Jun 2014 12:57 PM
Secretary of State for
Culture Sajid Javid has welcomed the restoration of a Burial Ground for First
World War Muslim soldiers in Woking.
A copper gilded finial with 12
petals was this week(10 June, 2014) carefully placed on top of the entrance
Chattri at Woking's grade II listed Muslim Burial Ground, marking the
completion of the first phase of major restoration work.
A large grant from English
Heritage, together with funds from Woking Borough Council has beautifully
restored the exterior wall brickwork, Portland stone capping and the entrance
Chattri of Woking’s unique burial ground. A finial was delicately placed
on top of the gateway by a conservator reaching out from a
“cherry-picker” crane.
Built in 1917 for the burial of
Muslim soldiers who fell during the First World War, and later accommodating
those who fell in the Second World War, the walled enclosure has distinctive
arches, minarets and a doomed gateway reflecting the architectural style of the
near-by Shah Jahan Mosque, the first purpose-built mosque in the
UK.
Secretary of State for Culture Sajid Javid, said:
“I’m delighted that funding and advice from English Heritage have
helped to rescue this extremely important monument in time for First World War
Centenary commemorations.
“Over one million troops
from pre-partition India fought as members of the British Armed Forces in the
First World War, many of them Muslim. Now standing as a symbol of those lost,
and an early and important part of British Muslim history, the restoration of
the Muslim Burial Ground to its former glory is particularly poignant in the
year we remember the outbreak of the First World War. “
The Muslim Burial Ground is
located on the south east corner of Horsell Common, was designed by architect
T.H. Winney and built by local firm, Ashby & Horner Ltd. The site is owned
by the Horsell Common Preservation Society who have been a driving force in
getting this unique heritage rescue underway.
Second Phase Funding Secured
Woking Borough Council is
pleased to announce that works to create a peace garden within the walled
Burial Ground can now begin, thanks to funding from key
stakeholders.
Funding was secured from the
Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme; Department for Communities and
Local Government; Shah Jahan Mosque; Government of the Sultanate of Oman and
Surrey County Council’s Community Improvements Fund.
Cllr John Kingsbury, Leader of
Woking Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to have obtained this
important funding to enable us to complete the final phase of this project. The
Muslim Burial Ground is an important heritage site, both locally and
nationally. With the golden finial now in place, works will progress to create
a peace garden that will offer a place of quiet contemplation, remembrance and
for acts of commemoration, while enhancing pride of
place.”
An Islamic-style peace garden
will be created, featuring 27 Himalayan Birch trees representing the original
number of servicemen buried at the site, water feature incorporating a memorial
stone bearing the names of those once buried at the site, bold strips of pink
and white heather orientated towards Mecca, two stone ceremonial prayer mats
and benches for quiet contemplation.
Once complete, the site will become an integral part of
the Armed Forces’ ongoing cultural diversity training and annual memorial
services for the local community and forces.
Anyone interested in finding out
about First World War Sites near them and helping to record them for posterity
should look at the Home Front Legacy
Project