A West London youth project that formed to protect young Muslims from internet extremism and joining the war in Syria, will be launched in Molenbeek, that was home to suspects, who lived in or had connections with the Brussles suburb, and were involved in the brutal Paris attack last year killing 130 people. Players and organisers will travel there in February to play a match with local youngsters and talk about their experiences. They will also meet EU leaders.
TUFF FC- which stands for The Unity of Faiths Foundation – was set up by Dr Shamender Talwar, a psychologist along with Anna Prior, and have been invited by the US President Barack to the White House in April as a thank you for helping to tackle Islamic State recruiters. The club is seeking help to pay for its trip to the US to see Mr Obama. The ambassador for the project is legendary footballer Diego Maradona and the FC is being taken to Brussles by London MEP Syed Kamall. Trustees of the club also includes renowned solicitor Sarosh Zaiwalla. Famous Indian lawyer Ram Jethmalani is also a part of the committee as an advisor along with international award-winning producer/director and media executive Paresh Solanki.
The junior football club, TUFF FC has been credited for diverting about a dozen teenage boys and girls away from the Jihadi path, including some who had expressed interest in joining the Isis. Classes are led by youths who have expressed jihadist ideas in the past, including a 15 year old girl who was a target of social media grooming by radicals, and had considered to move to Syria to be a jihadi bride.
The Southall based scheme will also expand across London. Dr Talwar, speaking about the role of the FC said, “What can be more British than football? We use it to teach teamwork, fair play and respect for the rules. It's about inculcating youngsters with wghat values and reinforcing that while their religion may be Muslim, their identity is British.
The most important thing is to create an atmosphere of trust, wherethey are able to confide in us about any radical ideas they may have.”
Speaking about her experience and identity, the 15 year old young girl and ambassador said, “There are a lot of vulnerable people targeted by extremists taking advantage of the fact that they are confused about their identity. Are we British or Muslim? Because of TUFF, I've realised I can be both.”
