Soldier died believing he would bring peace
The brother of a British Muslim soldier honoured at a memorial ceremony yesterday said more should be done to remember his sacrifice.
Zeeshan Hashmi said a foundation stone being laid at the new Armed Forces Memorial in memory of Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi was "all well and good", but he called on people to learn by his example.
Mr Hashmi's comments came as his mother and three sisters attended the ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
L-Cpl Hashmi, aged 24, from Bordesley Green in Birmingham, was the first British Muslim soldier to be killed on active duty in Afghanistan on July 1 last year.
Mr Hashmi, a 28-year-old student, was unable to attend the ceremony but said although his family were happy for his brother to be recognised, they felt it was important to remember why he had died.
"It is all well and good to have this, but in hindsight there should be more to his sacrifice," he said. "People from all walks of life should look at sacrifices made by people from all different backgrounds and perhaps learn from their example and learn to live in harmony with mutual respect.
"Knowing my brother, he would have been happy with a small form of recognition with just his name engraved on the memorial.
"My brother wanted to help people by giving his life, ultimately to achieve some sort of peace. There is a lot happening in the world of great concern."
L-Cpl Hashmi's family were joined by James Hawley, the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Speaking at the scene, his sister Zoubia said: "Although Jabron’s death has been a great devastation to us, it has been of consolation and strength to know that he gave his life believing that it would bring peace and prosperity to a region which has seen nothing but turmoil over a prolonged period of time.
"Let us honour the memories of those whose names are soon to be inscribed on this memorial by pledging that we shall dismantle the barriers that seem to exist in society, we will open ourselves to dialogue and we will strive to be the best among mankind by trying to understand each other."
The memorial, near Lichfield, will list the names of 16,000 members of the UK armed forces who have been killed on duty since the Second World War.
So far, 8,000 names have been inscribed on the memorial, which is due to be completed in October.
Derek Twigg, the Armed Forces Minister, said: "The Armed Forces Memorial is for people of all faiths and will be a nationally significant focus for remembrance as an acknowledgement for the sacrifices made since the Second World War.
"Each one of the names on the memorial will have left behind people who loved them. It will be an important place for many families and friends, especially those who have no grave to visit."
