Muslims add their voice to time of remembrance

Muslims were represented for the first time at a Remembrance Day service yesterday.

As hundreds stood around the cenotaph for a minute's silence at 11am to pay their respects to the dead of two world wars, Imam Maulvi Ahmed Cheung Kwong Yee recited verses from the Koran.

Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen's Association honorary chairman Jack Edwards said it was important to remember the diversity of troops who gave their lives for freedom.

Two Indian regiments, for example, had played a key role in the defence of Hong Kong but tended to be forgotten.

Mr Edwards said the 5th/7th Rajputana Rifles and 2nd/14th Punjab Regiment were the last troops to withdraw from the New Territories as the Japanese invaded.

As dignitaries laid their wreaths, three flags flew from the cenotaph - the Chinese national flag, the SAR Bauhinia and a much smaller Ex-Servicemen's Association flag.