WALTHAM FOREST: Young Muslim leaders praised by PM (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Young Muslim leaders praised by PM

8:33am Saturday 1st December 2007 in Search By Sarah Cosgrove

A SCHEME aimed at creating young Muslims leaders who can stand up to violent extremists has attracted the praise of the Prime Minister.

Council's leader Clyde Loakes said that the pilot scheme, which is split between Leytonstone Muslim Community Centre (LMCC) and the Active Change Foundation, based at the Al-Badr centre, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, was the subject of a speech by Gordon Brown two weeks ago.

Speaking at a Young Muslim Leader seminar held at the Indian Muslim Federation Hall in Trinity Close, Leytonstone, Cllr Loakes said Mr Brown held the project up as an example of best practice, adding that the praise showed the borough "was on to a winner."

He added: "I'm very proud of the progress you've been making so far."

The group of young men and women are halfway through a six-week seminar course run by LMCC with subjects such as what it means to be a Muslim in Britain, communication skills and leadership.

Course leader Shahid Mahid said he hoped the project, which includes visits to schools and colleges, touches up to 500 young people.

Young people said the course had helped their confidence countering the arguments of extremists as well as in everyday life.

"I feel more confident to speak out about what is wrong," said Isra Mumtaz, 19, a business and law student from Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, while her friend Ambreen Khan, 20, said she previously would have thought it was not her problem.

Medical student Hammad Ahmed, 19, of Napier Road, Leytonstone, said the leaders had a good role as go-betweens between young people and establishment figures.

"I've seen a lot of misunderstanding between the Muslim students and the teachers. There's no dialogue, there's no way the teachers can relate," he said.

Zulfkhar Ahmed, 21, a mechanical engineering student at Birkbeck College, said the course gave him the opportunity to get more involved in community projects.

The council's assistant chieff executive Robin Tuddenham and the police Borough Commander, Mark Benbow, were also at the seminar.

Both joined Cllr Loakes to say they would like to see the pilot expanded, adding that they would help with networking and introductions if the young leaders wanted to use their skills elsewhere in the community.