FREE Understanding Islam & Muslim Culture Course

Aksaa Management and Training Consultants are running a free course on understanding Islam and Muslim culture at MUSLIMAAT Educational Institution on Tuesday 17 November, from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. It's a CPD-certified day, put on in partnership with the Muslimaat Association, and it's aimed at non-Muslims and public sector professionals who work with Muslim communities — people like council officers, police, social workers, NHS staff, foster carers and voluntary sector workers.

The session covers the basic beliefs and practices of Islam, the difference between religion, culture and tradition, and the background of Muslims in Britain. It also looks at the features of a mosque, Islamophobia and the Equality Act 2010. There's a practical side to it too: the group will visit the New Sheffield Grand Mosque for a live observation of an afternoon prayer, so you'll see the practice in person rather than just hearing about it.

Kaushar Tai leads the day. He's a management and training consultant and director of Aksaa, and he's been delivering Islam and Muslim culture awareness training across the UK for more than a decade, including at the University of Portsmouth since 2017 and to over 150 staff of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and Merseyside Police. He's also a foster carer himself and has produced resources like the booklet Health and Safety - An Islamic Perspective, which was used in a wider National Fire Chief Councils project. Past delegates have described the day as extremely informative and helpful in cutting through preconceptions.

It runs from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm at MUSLIMAAT Educational Institution, 4th Floor, Don Valley House, Savile Street East, Sheffield S4 7UQ. The course is free, and lunch, refreshments and training materials are all provided.