Professor Ihsan Yilmaz, Dr James Barry and Dr Simon Wilmot have produced a short film that examines the role of Australian-Muslim soldiers who served in World War Two. 

Dr Wilmot is Head of Group, Film/Television/Animation and Performing Arts at Deakin University. As the director, he has played an instrumental and leading role in the documentary film’s production procedures, using Deakin’s state of the art film studios and infrastructure.

The project, lead by Professor Yilmaz, was funded by a Department of Veteran Affairs Saluting their Service grant. These grants aim to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage and highlight the service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women.

As Australia has become increasingly aware of the diversity of soldiers who served as Anzacs, the researchers for this film noticed that the large number of Muslim soldiers in the Second World War had not been fully explored. The Muslim Anzacs were a diverse group of different ethnic and sectarian backgrounds, most of whom had come to Australia at a time when non-White migration was difficult. These men served their units with distinction and Muslims were present at some of the most iconic battles in Australia’s Second World War history, such as El Alamein and Kokoda. Several of these men made the ultimate sacrifice and were killed in action. This film aims to honour their legacy.

The film highlights their stories and aims to debunk the belief that Muslims are “new” to Australia and do not contribute to society.

“These are stories of men who loved their homes in Australia and who fought to protect their families, friends and their Australian way of life,” Dr Barry said.

“We spoke to the families of Australian-Muslim servicemen and service people of other backgrounds, including Malay and Indonesian heritage. 

“In some cases, promises were made by the Australian Government upon their recruitment into service. These promises included they would be made naturalised citizens once they returned. 

“Unfortunately, in some circumstances, these promises were not fulfilled and some servicemen were deported following their return to Australia after the war.”