A group of Luton Sixth Form College Muslim girls recently went to Luton Town Football Club to watch their game against Gateshead. The visit was arranged as part of the College’s contribution towards the Kick It Out Week of Action. The visit had a profound effect on the College students.
Maryam said “ I’ll be honest, I had my reservations. Combined with the prejudice some people have against covered Muslim women and the racist organisations that occasionally thrive at football matches, the doubts of our safety definitely crossed my mind. Nevertheless, myself and a group of girls braved the hordes of people and led by Abdul-majid took our seats in the stands.
And how wrong we were. Apart from the occasional glance or two when walking to our seats, I can whole-heartedly say that we did not receive one offensive remark or comment. We blended in easily and shared the gasps, woops and cheers of the vast crowds. We immersed ourselves in the game and (combined with the intermittent clarifications of the rules from Abdul-majid) shared the winning spirit of the throng. It was truly a victory of a game in everyone’s eyes. On reflection, my attitude towards football matches has completely changed. My assumptions of football matches being a male-egotistical fuelled drunken revelling were completely proved wrong and I can safely say I would go again.”
Abdul-majid Fazal, Student Welfare Advisor at the College, added: “The girls were amazing and, although initially anxious, they were a credit to themselves and the College”.
ENDS
For further information:
Please contact Janet Jeans on 01582 432513
Notes to Editor:
· ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted inspection 2008
· One of the leading providers of post-16 education in the country
· Examination results continue to be well above the national average
· Each year over 600 students go on to study at universities across the country, including Cambridge and Oxford.
· Learning & Skills Beacon Status
· ‘Investor in People’ and ‘Investor in Careers’ accreditation
· First sixth form college in the UK