A POWERFUL new film has been released today bringing together Bradford teenagers from Muslim and non-Muslim backgrounds to remember their shared history.

Pupils from Belle Vue Girls School, Buttershaw Technology College and the Joint Activities & Motor Education Service (JAMES) were part of the Unknown & Untold project.

They interviewed descendants of Indian soldiers who fought for Britain in the First World War and learned about their contribution to the British war effort.

They then worked with Bradford rapper Blazer Boccle to produce lyrics about British identity and how it is shaped by this WW1 history.

The culmination of the project saw them filming at Cartwright Hall in Lister Park and the resulting film is due to be officially launched today at an event at the museum.

The three teenagers that feature in the film are Sana Khan, Shahrbano Iqbal and Samuel Kitson. Sana’s lyrics include: “In today’s world we’re taught to divide. But in the war we had to unify. Because there’s something that connects you and I: Our ancestors all fought side-by-side.”

Blazer Boccle raps: “I just want everyone to listen. Being part of Britain isn’t all about religion. Look into the history books and learn what you’ve been missing. Every race and religion should be proud of where they’re living.”

Local MP Naz Shah, as well as Leeds Imam Qari Asim and representatives of the Yorkshire Regiment, will be at the event.

There they are to discuss with British Future, the organisation behind the project, how understanding shared history can help integration in Britain today.

Bradford West Labour MP Ms Shah said: “Everyone in our country should feel they have an equal stake in being British, no matter what their race or religion.

“Knowing our shared history can help with that, especially at this time of year when we remember those who fought and died for Britain.”

Sunder Katwala, director of independent thinktank British Future, said: “Throughout the WW1 centenary more and more people have got to hear, often for the first time, that the armies fighting a century ago look more like the Britain of 2017 than that of 1917, with troops of every faith and ethnic background.

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“We’ve found an overwhelming consensus that teaching this shared history to all children would be good for integration. We need to ensure this learning continues beyond the centenary to leave a lasting legacy.

“We all want a society where we live well together and where people of all backgrounds can feel equally British. This shared history can help us develop an inclusive identity that we all feel proud of.”

The project is a partnership between Cartwright Hall, British Future and New Horizons in British Islam, a Muslim charity.