Yorkshire Cricket Club has signed the Muslim Athlete Charter – a commitment to recognise the needs of Muslim cricketers, fans and staff.
The announcement comes as the club are awaiting sanctions over their handling of allegations of racism and bullying by former player Azeem Rafiq, and a failure to address systemic use of racist and discriminatory language over a prolonged period.
The Rafiq case led to major changes at the club which included working with Nujum Sports, an organisation which seeks to challenge clubs and organisations to make progress in supporting Muslim sportsmen and women.
Yorkshire Cricket Club has now pledged that:
- Muslim athletes will be provided with appropriate places to pray whenever training, travelling or participating in competition.
- Muslim athletes will be provided Halal food whenever food is prepared for all athletes. This includes while travelling and at any venue they are competing.
- Muslim athletes will be provided with alternative clothing should they request it and if they believe it contradicts their spiritual or ethical beliefs.
- Colleagues will be informed about the non-consumption of alcohol for Muslim athletes. This is particularly important when celebrating performances with colleagues, which sometimes includes the distribution and spraying of alcohol.
- Muslim athletes will be consulted in advance regarding their faith-based needs when joining the organisation.
- Muslim athletes will be provided faith-based spiritual help and support if requested, this includes access to a local Muslim chaplain.
- Muslim athletes will be allowed to attend Friday midday prayers at a mosque when they are not competing or traveling.
- Muslim athletes will be allowed to fast during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Their nutritional needs will be discussed in advance before the commencement of Ramadan.
- Muslim athletes will be allowed to withdraw from non-Muslim religious celebrations which the organisation partakes in. Whenever possible, discussions pertaining to these events should take place with the athlete in advance.
- Muslim athletes will be given space to express their views on their faith without judgement. As with all comments and views, Muslim athletes must whenever possible discuss any public statements in advance with the organisation.
Stephen Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer at Yorkshire Cricket, said: “By understanding the faith and cultural needs of our Muslim players, staff and fans, we can help to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
“We would encourage all our Leagues and Clubs to find out more about the Muslim Athlete Charter and to seek to adopt its principles.
“The signing of the Muslim Athlete Charter is one of many initiatives Yorkshire Cricket is committed to in order to support equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the Club and reflect Yorkshire’s rich and vibrant community.”
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Mo Hussain, Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, said: “The pledge is another step in fulfilling our commitment to becoming a truly inclusive Club.
“Alongside our multifaith space, providing non-alcohol family stands, and provision of halal food, our player changing spaces have also been upgraded to ensure the religious and cultural needs of our players can be met.
“We have been working closely with Nujum Sports for more than a year and look forward to developing this relationship further.”
Ebadur Rahman, the Chief Executive Officer for Nujum Sports, said: “On signing the charter, Yorkshire Cricket is joining a positive movement of solidarity, equality and recognition of the contribution Muslims make in their respective clubs and teams.
“Nujum is here to support professional clubs and their players to contribute positively to their equality and diversity agenda.
“We are here to help them aspire to be even more inclusive and build on the passion and love we have four our respective clubs, players and fans.”
More than 75 sports clubs and organisations have signed the Nujum Sports’ charter since it was first enacted in June 2021, including the RFL, the Premier League, and the Football Association of Wales.
