A British Army leader has said the Armed Forces need to be more ‘representative’ of Nottingham’s Muslim community.
Colonel Stuart Williams is the Deputy Commander of the Seventh Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East and says the British Army has been ‘ignorant’ towards Muslims by not visiting mosques across the country to raise awareness of the work of the infantry.
Colonel Williams says the army has ‘got to be representative of society’ and his team are visiting mosques in Nottingham ‘on a daily basis’ to engage with the local Muslim community and inspire them to consider a career in the Armed Forces.
He told Notts TV: “It’s not been a problem but we’ve got to be representative of society. At the minute, we are not fully representative of the British society.
“What we didn’t do is we didn’t engage with them on a persistent basis.
“I’ve got my team going into mosques in Nottingham on a daily basis making friendships, being seen, being accepted and telling our story.
“It’s important we represent the demographic and communities.”
The British Army has been working with the Karimia Institute Mosque in Bobbers Mill for two years to ‘develop friendships’ and deliver presentations of army careers and explain the different jobs available.
Colonel Williams delivered presentations of the services at an army recruitment drive to local Muslims at Nottingham Council House on Monday (July 3) night.
He added: “We’ve been working with the Karimia Institute for the past two years. We’ve been developing relationships and raising awareness about the army.
“The biggest barrier is ignorance, and it’s our ignorance, because we didn’t go and visit the mosques which we now do on a regular basis.
“Over two years we’ve developed friendships and this evening tonight is about us bringing our friends together but also asking them to bring their friends to come and listen to the army’s presentation group to tell them about the army and hopefully inspire them to consider the options available within the Armed Forces and, for others, just to ask the question about how a Muslim can join the army.”
The Karimia Mosque signed the Armed Forces Covenant last December to formally recognise the work of the Armed Forces.
Dr Musharraf Hussain, chief imam at the mosque, said: “The covenant gives us a sense of belonging and identity that we’re part of this wonderful country and it shows we are loyal to our country and to our Armed Forces – and we’re willing to defend our country.
“It’s really important for the Muslim community to express that loyalty, patriotism and love for the country. One of the best ways to do that is to actually show our pride for the Armed Forces.”
He added the Muslim community in Nottingham is ‘very young’ and he wants to ensure youngsters know of the ‘fantastic opportunities’ available within the Armed Forces.
Talat Sharif, from Beeston, is an ambassador of the Karimia Mosque; two of his brothers were in the army.
He said Muslims represent the ‘biggest minority group part of the army’.
He added: “It’d be nice if there were more. I’m hoping there will be. Events like this will show awareness and hopefully bring more recruits in.
“We value the army because they defend our shores, our homes, our families – it is an important area within any Muslim family. That’s why a lot of Muslims join the army.”
Naveed Muhammad, the British Army’s national liaison officer, added: “Raising awareness of the Armed Forces amongst communities is hugely important, regardless of whatever their background may be.
“But it’s specifically important for the Muslim community because we are involved in operations in the Middle East and further afield.
“Having the Muslim community understand exactly what we’re doing in those places, rather than perhaps any perceptions which may exist, is really important.”
