Replica fighter planes from the First World War-era will take to the skies over Brampton to pay tribute to Canada’s Indigenous and Muslim veterans. (Photo: www.bramptonflightcentre.com)

Replica fighter planes from the First World War-era will take to the skies over Brampton this week to pay tribute to Canada’s Indigenous and Muslim veterans.

Remembrance Day isn’t until next week, but this Sunday (Nov. 8) will mark Canada’s National Indigenous Veterans Day – honouring the more than 12,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have served the Canadian military in the great conflicts of the 20th century.

Muslims for Remembrance is holding a ceremony on Sunday at Brampton’s Mubarak Mosque that will feature a reading of the poem “In Flanders Fields,” a wreath laying, and a traditional Indigenous smudging ceremony.

There will also be a flyover of WWI fighter planes from the Great War Flying Museum, which is based at the Brampton-Caledon Airport. The museum’s collection includes replicas of both German and British aircraft from WWI, including the Fokker D.VII and the Sopwith 1 – 1/2 Strutter.

The ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m. and will run until 3:30 p.m at the Mubarak Mosque, located at 10545 Hurontario St. in Brampton. The event is being hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at.

READ MORE: Legion branch honours 100th anniversary with events in Brampton

Residents can also attend a candlelight service on Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Veteran Statue in Gage Park, 45 Main St. S. Then on Remembrance Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, a sunrise service will take place at 7:55 a.m. at the main chapel of Meadowvale Cemetery.

Muslims for Remembrance was launched in 2011 “to remember and show support for the sacrifices of Canada’s armed forces,” the Ahmadiyya Jama’at says.

“This is our way to show support for Canada’s troops and veterans that sacrificed their lives for this country and for those who are protecting us today. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at has become the leading Muslim organization to showcase support for Canadian veterans through this annual campaign,” the website reads.

In 2016, studies from Birmingham City University found some 885,000 Muslims were recruited by the Allies during the First World War, along with some 1.5 million Indians and 280,000 Algerians, Moroccans and Tunisians, as well as soldiers recruited from other parts of Africa.

This year’s Remembrance Day is a milestone, marking 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion. The City of Brampton has partnered with Royal Canadian Legion Branches 15 and 609 to host commemorative services and activities leading up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, including a special Freedom of the City Parade in recognition of the Lorne Scots regiment’s century of service to veterans and the community.


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