Politicians and community groups are urging for more education in schools on the history of black and Asian soldiers who served Britain during World Wars to combat ignorance, racism, and anti-Muslim prejudice.
On the 110th anniversary of the first Muslim to get the Victoria Cross, major minority ethnic voices have stated that raising awareness of Black and Asian service men and women could help combat racism and anti-Muslim prejudice following this summer's riots.

Khan, a machine-gunner, was injured on October 31, 1914, while attempting to prevent German soldiers from seizing key ports in France and Belgium. As the line was pushed back, Khan, who was wounded and outnumbered, held off the German attack until Indian and British reinforcements arrived. He was the solitary survivor of his team.

King George V awarded Khan the Victoria Cross in 1915 when he was recovering from injuries in a hospital in the United Kingdom. He was the first Indian soldier to get the award. After the war, he returned to Pakistan and then India before it was partitioned. His Victoria Cross is exhibited in the Ashcroft Collection at London's Imperial War Museum.

Campaigners want stories like Khan's to be highlighted at next year's 80th anniversary commemorations of VE Day.

The story of Khudadad Khan has been highlighted by Leeds iman Qari Asim, chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, Labour MP Calvin Bailey, who oversaw the RAF ethnic minorities network, and Sayeeda Warsi, whose two grandfathers fought in the Second World war.

"Watching a poisonous minority attack mosques and threaten Muslims in their community this summer was terrifying," Asim said. They might have a different opinion if they were aware of this nation's past and the contributions Khudadad Khan and hundreds of other Muslim warriors made to Britain throughout the two wars.

"More should be done to educate both Muslims and non-Muslims about this sacrifice and dedication. Together, we can celebrate the fact that we are all a part of Britain's past.

We witnessed the worst of Britain this summer, according to Lady Warsi, when a few enraged people first targeted religious and ethnic minorities before turning their ire on the police for carrying out their duty of protecting the public.

"We will honour the men and women whose sacrifice and service contributed to the defence of our liberties next month. Both of my grandfathers served in those forces during the world wars, along with troops from Africa and the Caribbean and individuals like Khudadad Khan. Britain is at its best when we stand together, just as it is now.