Feature Project: 'Taught by Muhammad' at Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI)

Earlier this month I met with Rizwan Rafik from ‘Taught by Muhammad’ at Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI) and asked him some questions about the project.

Tell me about your work and how the project started?
YYI started in 2004 when we identified that there was a need for something for young people in the Muslim Community because many young Muslims were disengaged from wider society. For this reason when it started YYI was just doing youth development work including activities to integrate young people into wider society. We started a Scout group for youth up to aged 14. As that grew we identified a need for something that helped those over the age of 14 with skills, employability, and volunteering opportunities. We developed ‘Change Makers’ to offer these opportunities to young people. As young people were building up life skills we saw the opportunity to help young people outreach to the local community and to help others, with the hope that this would contribute to a more tolerant and integrated society in Dundee. This was the start of ‘Taught by Muhammad’ which is the project that I work for.

‘Taught by Muhammad’ has a number of different projects within it. We run a food bank, where we collect food from the Muslim Community as well as the wider public. We receive referrals from local agencies and then deliver the food to those that need it. We run two Curry Kitchens once a month (see photo below showing volunteers at a curry kitchen). One is at the Salvation Army Drop In and the other is with the Claverhouse Smart Lone Parents Programme. For both of these our volunteers (aged 16 plus) cook and prepare the food and then serve it at the Salvation Army, or deliver it to unemployed single parents. The Curry Kitchens provide the opportunity for our young volunteers to develop team work and cooking skills, and to grow in understanding of the challenges some people in Dundee face. It is also an opportunity for them to meet with the wider community and break down barriers.

 

We have some other work that we are in the early stages of developing including taking presentations into external organisations such as schools and universities to help bridge understanding between Muslim’s and other communities. This is because a large percentage of 18-24 year olds say that they don’t trust the Muslim community. We want to help break down barriers, and build safer communities. Another new initiative is working in partnership with Dundee West Youth Team bringing YYI and local youth from Lochee and Menzieshill together through things like football. This is also aimed at growing understanding and integration. We are also planning to run a Budgeting Cooking Programme together with the Cairn Centre and a worker from the Gate Church. In the future we would also like to develop a programme for older members of the Muslim community to reduce isolation.

What is the connection of your project with faith?

Our work is inspired by faith and our remit is targeted at the Muslim community. However we believe that we are trying to project values that are shared by all people, such as kindness. We are not about promoting Islam as a religion, but about developing the Muslim community, outreaching to those who are in need in Dundee, and building bridges between the Muslim and the wider community.

What do you think has been the impact of your work?

I think our impact has been very positive. We have had good feedback from the people we are working with at the Curry Kitchens. The people we work with now feel comfortable with us and we have formed good friendships. Working for the good of others together has promoted tolerance. Those who we serve food to were at first a little apprehensive, but over the last year they have got to know us and realised that we are normal people that they can have a joke and a laugh with.

The first youth football tournament run in partnership with the Dundee West Youth Team was a success. The young people enjoyed it and have asked to do it again.

I think it is important for Dundee’s Muslim community to play a part in addressing Dundee’s social issues and help to build a closer knit community. I think ‘Taught by Muhammad’ and YYI are helping this to happen.

Do you have any message for those thinking about starting similar projects like yours?

I think it is very important to engage with the local community whatever your target age group, as there are so many needs. It is excellent to see different strands of work being done in Dundee but there is still more that needs to be done. I would actively encourage other youth to do something even if it is little. Everything starts with something small-it doesn’t have to be a massive thing. For example helping your neighbour when they are ill.

Thank you to Rizwan for giving his time to speak to me. If you would like to find out more about ‘Taught by Muhammad’ and YYI you can contact him on: rizwan.rafik@taughtbymuhammad.com