British soldiers visit Dewsbury mosque in “relationship building” initiative

British soldiers visited a mosque in Dewsbury and partook in ablution and prayers in what has been described by the organisers as a “relationship building” initiative between Muslims and the armed forces.

Military officers took off their boots and socks, and made wudu as part of a visit to a Zakaria Mosque in Dewsbury.

The visit was organised by charity “Kumon Y’All” to build a positive relationship between the Army and Muslims in the local area.

The Army officers from 4^th Infantry Brigade in Catterick, North Yorkshire, visited the mosque in Chapel Street, and were shown the prayer rooms and classrooms.

They were also shown how to do the ritual washing before prayer by Maulana Farook Yunus, the project manager of Kumon Y’All.

The soldiers also visited Darul Uloom in South Street, where students aged between 12 and 16 gave a presentation to the soldiers on respecting parents, teachers and elders.

Colonel Mike Butterwick, the Deputy Commander of 4^th Infantry Brigade, addressed the school and soldiers on apparent “similarities” in values and principles.

Flood relief collaboration

During the floods in north England last November and December, Kumon Y’All sent volunteers to work alongside the British Army as they built flood defences and cleared up the debris from the aftermath.

Maulana Farook told Pulse1: “Our group has had more than 200 young people working on many projects and this was one of the projects that they chose.

“When we heard what had happened in Cumbria, we felt the pain. We said, let’s share in this pain and go and help the flood victims.”

Kumon Y’All volunteers worked with other Muslim charities alongside soldiers from 2^ndBattalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

Following the flood efforts, contact was made and the Army officers’ visit to Savile Town was deemed a success.

Maulana Farook added: “The Army is a lot of very powerful people and I am very passionate about tapping into that resource and using it for the betterment of society.

“I feel really happy that today they have come, we have met and had a few hours together. I feel that our relationship is getting better and stronger and we can use that for what we want to achieve.”

There are now ongoing plans for the Army to take part in the annual football tournament in Savile Town in July and for a future visit by Kumon Y’All to Catterick.

“Colonel Butterwick told Pulse1 that: “It has been a fantastic day – we have learned so much and we have been warmly welcomed by everybody we have talked to.

“What it does is bust myths and the more myth-busting we can do, the more we understand each other.”

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