A GROUND-breaking scheme to give groups a better understanding of the Islamic faith is being staged in Huddersfield.
Twenty police officers from Kirklees visited the Hanfia Mosque and Educational Institute on Bentley Street in Lockwood.
They spent the day looking at themes within Islam and around the Muslim community.
The officers were also given a tour of the Muslim place of worship and had a rare opportunity to see the prayer area and other important parts of the mosque.
These included the ‘ghusal’ room, a special place where bodies of the dead are given their final ritual wash before burial.
Mohammed Imran, the Institute’s general secretary, said: “We felt it was important for the officers to build up their knowledge around the key themes of Islam and how these impact on the Muslim community.
“During the training officers were given the opportunity to learn about themes such as the basic beliefs and the five pillars of Islam, Muslim dietary laws, Islamic guidelines around economics, as well as more significant areas such as the Islamic rulings on arranged and forced marriages.”
Waseem Riaz, a volunteer at the Institute, said: “As a mosque which plays an vital role in working with agencies like Kirklees Council, the Hanfia Institute is doing its part in helping strengthen the council’s upcoming Community Cohesion Strategy, as well as helping to address the Government's Preventing Extremism agenda.
“The officers also learned about the true concept of Jihad according to the mainstream Islamic view and how, in reality, this represents a more personal and inner-spiritual struggle of controlling one’s personal ego and thinking of others before thinking of oneself.”
Pc Steve Bedford, Diversity Manager and event organiser on behalf of West Yorkshire Police, said: “What we saw today demonstrated that Muslim organisations such as Hanfia Institute should be seen to have a key role in tackling the threat of violent extremism and promoting community cohesion.”
Chief Insp Vincent Firth said: “This training was a great success and I hope we can revisit some of the areas of discussions with officers from different levels.”
A buffet meal was laid on and all the officers were presented with their names painted in Arabic calligraphy by Farid Ahmed, a professional calligrapher working at the Institute.
