What is the Gul Mawaz Khan
Foundation?
The Gul Mawaz Khan Memorial Foundation is dedicated to promoting the memory of Muslim soldiers who bravely risked and sacrificed their lives fighting for Britain in the great conflicts of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Foundation was founded by Pakistani philanthropist Babar Raja and his brother, Qaisar Raja. Inspired by their own family’s fascinating history, they became dedicated to helping other Muslims reconnect with their ancestors’ military stories.
The Foundation is named in honour of Babar Raja’s great grandfather, Gul Mawaz Khan, a Muslim soldier who exhibited incredible bravery and loyalty in WW1 but was left tragically unrecognised for his efforts. You can learn more about Gul Mawaz Khan on our history page.
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What do we aim to do?
The Foundation aims to work closely with Muslims who wish to research their family heritage in relation to their ancestors’ military service, as well as discovering and preserving records of their service to the UK. Having uncovered many feats of bravery and great loyalty by their great grandfather and great great grandfather, the Raja family is dedicated to helping others reconnect with their own heritage.
Why is this issue important to us?
Over the course of World War I, 400,000 Muslims fought for Britain. Over 600,000 then participated in the fight against Nazi Germany in World War II. But sadly, much of their loyalty and courage has been forgotten in the years since, and has passed by unrecognised by the British authorities. Through funding family research and raising awareness, Babar and Qaisar hope to reignite the glory and memory of those who gave so much at such a critical moment in our history.