Why Is the Islamic World Forgotten in World War History?

 

Why Is the Islamic World Forgotten in World War History?

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Introduction

When we read history books about World War I and II, the focus is often on Europe, America, and occasionally East Asia. The figures highlighted are usually Western generals, presidents, or fascist leaders. But the question arises: where is the Islamic world in this grand narrative? In fact, Muslim regions played a strategic role as battlefields, supply routes, and sources of manpower.

John Keegan’s The Second World War (1989) focuses heavily on American and European involvement, while only briefly mentioning the Middle East. This illustrates a serious imbalance in historical attention.

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The Islamic World as a Strategic Battlefield

During World War I, the Ottoman Caliphate was a key player. They joined the Central Powers alongside Germany and Austria-Hungary. Though they eventually lost, their role shaped the conflict’s direction. Yet, in many textbooks, names such as Gallipoli, Dardanelles, or Mesopotamia receive little attention, despite the massive Muslim casualties.

Historian Eugene Rogan in The Fall of the Ottomans (2015) notes that more than 2.5 million Ottoman Muslims fought in the war. Still, their story is far less known compared to the Western Front.

In my view, this reflects the broader pattern of history being written from the perspective of the victors.

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Muslim Colonies in the Wars

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from India, North Africa, and Southeast Asia were drafted by British and French colonial powers. They fought across multiple fronts, from Europe to Africa.

David Omissi’s Indian Voices of the Great War (1999) records how Indian Muslim soldiers were sent to France, Mesopotamia, and East Africa. Yet their contribution is rarely discussed in mainstream accounts.

I personally consider this a form of “cultural erasure,” where non-dominant voices are systematically overlooked.

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The Islamic World in World War II

Once again, the Middle East became a strategic theater during World War II. Egypt, Palestine, Iraq, and Iran were crucial for supply routes and oil. The Battle of El Alamein (1942) in Egypt marked a turning point against German expansion.

Rick Atkinson’s The North African Campaign (2002) underscores this significance but emphasizes figures like Rommel and Montgomery, rather than the Muslim soldiers who fought alongside them.

This reinforces the notion that the Islamic world has been sidelined in historical narratives.

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Why Is the Islamic World Forgotten?

1. Western-Centric Narratives
   History has largely been written by Western scholars, naturally emphasizing their perspective.

2. Colonial Status
   Since many Muslim countries were colonized, their contributions were framed within colonial history, not as independent efforts.

3. Postwar Politics
   The West sought to highlight its role as the defender of democracy, diminishing other contributions.

Edward Said’s Orientalism (1978) critiques this worldview, where the East is portrayed only as a backdrop, not as a central actor.

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The Consequences of Forgetting

• Identity Crisis: Young Muslims grow up believing their ancestors were irrelevant in global events.

• Academic Imbalance: World War studies become incomplete, skewed toward Europe.

• Stereotype Reinforcement: Muslims are seen as passive, despite their significant role.

I believe revisiting this history is vital to rebuild collective confidence in the modern Muslim world.

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Toward Decolonizing History

There is now a growing academic effort to globalize the history of World Wars. Hew Strachan’s The First World War (2001) highlights Africa, Asia, and the Middle East as integral to the conflict.

Scholars from Muslim countries are also reclaiming their narratives. I think more local archives, testimonies, and colonial records need to be explored to bring these forgotten voices back to light.

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Conclusion

History is not only about victors it is about who deserves to be remembered. The Islamic world had a profound role in both World Wars but has often been marginalized in mainstream accounts.

My position is neutral: I don’t argue this is a deliberate conspiracy, but it is clearly a result of Western dominance in historiography. Reintegrating Muslim contributions is crucial to creating a more balanced and inclusive history.