Annual Ceremony Honors Muslim Soldiers Who Died for France at Douaumont Ossuary

The head of the Foundation of Islam in France, Ghalab Bencheikh, is determined to support the Muslim Chaplaincy in the Armed Forces. This explains his presence alongside the Chaplaincy during the anniversary ceremony, initiated each June 25th, in connection with the inauguration of the koubba on June 25, 2006, by President Jacques Chirac.

At the Douaumont ossuary, a ceremony honoring Muslim soldiers who died for France was organized on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, by the Muslim Chaplaincy in the armed forces, reported the website Saphinews.com. This event was attended by the Foundation of Islam in France, led by Ghalab Bencheikh. It took place in the Meuse. It was erected in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Verdun, which occurred in 1916, during the First World War.

This place houses the tombs of thousands of missing soldiers. Indeed, 16,142 Christian graves and 592 Muslim steles have been arranged. Since 2016, this ceremony is organized in memory of all these combatants, from the former French colonies.