Muslim Sports Foundation
I recently attended the Muslim Sports Foundation annual event.
The Muslim Sports Foundation is a trust that uses physical activity and sport as a facilitator for individual, group and community through exercise, psychological, and social approaches that seeks to address issues within our society, whilst promoting the wellbeing of an individual.
They have also formed key partnerships with local, regional, national, and governmental stakeholders to promote awareness on healthy active lifestyles. Additionally, MSF liaise with sponsors to deliver objectives within often neglected communities across Britain. Their main objective is to make a positive difference to targeted communities through sport, by making this open and available to all.
There were over 150 attendees on the day. The day was divided into topics and included several keynote speakers, panel discussions and opportunities to network throughout the day.
- Promoting physical activity in Muslim communities
- Overcoming barriers to participation
- Health and wellbeing benefits of an active lifestyle
- Success stories within the Muslim community
- Women and girls in sports
- Building resilience and best practices
- Role of Mosques and schools
I believe this is an excellent initiative that offers many different opportunities that previously may not have been available to access for all.
Amongst the guests that attended the MSF annual event included a previous Olympian, Abdul Buhari who represented Britain in discus at the European Athletics in 2012. After retiring he set up the Lloyd Cowan Bursary, which is an organisation that supports and funds athletes transitioning from training to competing. He sees MSF as a pioneer in the UK, as they have created an environment and programme which previously had not been available for adults and children to set up sports, wellbeing and social opportunities and women only segregated social and sports facilities.
Another guest at the MSF, event was Zainab Alema, who is a Neonatal Nurse and a Rugby player who hopes to play for England as the first female rugby player wearing a headscarf (Hijab). Zainab has been voted the Sunday Times Vitality Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year and features in the Amazon documentary, No Woman No Try.
One of the biggest obstacles for Zainab has been her culture. She says she often gets stared at and commented on when she is on the pitch, complete with her hijab (headscarf) and with a rugby ball in her hand. Her dad couldn't understand why an African Muslim woman would want to play rugby, "a male, elitist sport". There are stereotypes she says of Muslim households: "Women are supposed to be at home cooking, cleaning and having kids. That's what we do to some extent, but we can do so much more. I am determined to smash those stereotypes."
She plays rugby for Richmond Women RFC and hopes to set up a range of projects to encourage Muslim women to play rugby. All this, along with managing her role as a neonatal nurse and her 3 children, is truly inspiring and encouraging to see.
I attended the event believing there is a real opportunity for CSSC to help facilitate and encourage not only new members but also generate volunteers through these new channels. I proudly explained to the other attendees (trust members, journalists) what CSSC is. I answered questions and explained how we help our members enjoy sports and physical activities and handed out our member benefits leaflets and Podium magazine. I think this will benefit CSSC in a positive manner from, not only an DE&I perspective, but also the excellent social, physical and wellbeing perspective.
I believe there is a real opportunity to grow the connection between CSSC and MSF. I left the day feeling positive about the incredible role models I had met and seeing a potential for CSSC and MSF to benefit together. Watch this space.
Data Findings
- 2021 Census - 3.8 million people living in England are Muslim
- Third biggest faith group - behind Christianity and those that define as 'no religion'
- The number of Muslim people living in England has increased by more than 40% (1.1 million) since the 2021 Census - more than 150% (2.25 million) since the 2001 Census.
- People of Muslim faith are significantly over-represented amongst those who have two or more characteristics of inequality.
- Children of Asian, Black and Other ethnicities (groups that will include the vast majority of Muslim children in England) are less active than children of White and Mixed ethnicities.
Muslims Support Foundation is funded by Sport England.
- £10,000
- 08/03/2022
- The project will deliver multi-sport sessions designed for women over the age of 45 from the Muslim community and aims to improve their physical activity, sport, mental health and wellbeing.
- £221,000
- 25/02/2022
- Funding under Sport England's COVID-19 Tackling Inequalities Fund funding programme for a Revenue project titled COVID-19 Tackling Inequalities Fund.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
- £221,000
- 25/02/2022
- Funding under Sport England's COVID-19 Tackling Inequalities Fund funding programme for a Revenue project titled COVID-19 Tackling Inequalities Fund.
- £14,940
- 20/05/2021
- Funding under Sport England's Governance Support 2021/22 funding programme for a Revenue project titled Governance Support - Strengthening Governance arrangements.
- £143,000
- 07/04/2021
- Funding under Sport England's COVID-19 Tackling Inequalities Fund funding programme for a Revenue project titled COVID-19 Tackling Inequalities Fund.
Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving.