CRIME prevention charity Crime Concern has been given the thumbs up to work with young Muslims in a bid to tackle extremism and bring communities together.
The Muslim Youth Development Partnership run by Crime Concern together with the Muslim organisation Karimia Institute and international relief organisation Muslim Hands has won £250,000 funding from nationwide volunteering charity v.
The innovative programme aims to give more than 4,500 young Muslim volunteers the skills they need to be a positive influence on other young people in their communities.
Starting in January 2008, the programme will include a strong mentoring element and will work with young Muslims in Birmingham, Derby, Manchester, Bradford, Halifax and Nottingham
Crime Concern service manager, Mohammed Yaseen, who will manage the three- year programme, said:
“One of the key aims of this early intervention and mentoring approach is to challenge the extremist views of young people and promote community cohesion and citizenship.
“It’s absolutely vital that we work with valued grass roots organisations like Karimia Institute and Muslim Hands. Through them we can work in Mosques and Islamic centres to earn the trust and respect needed to see change in our communities.”
Crime Concern’s mentoring work with the Karimia Institute and Muslim Hands and the work being done training organisation Common Purpose was praised recently by the Prime Minister.
