BAFF

Muslims serving in the British Armed Forces will benefit from a new support network that was launched at RAF Northolt on Friday 9 October 2009.

The Armed Forces Muslim Association (AFMA) will allow Muslims who work in the British Armed Forces to meet up with each other, chat on internet forums and ask questions of the Imam.

The association also aims to forge closer relationships with Islamic communities across the UK and its members plan to organise educational events in the community to further an understanding of the role of British Muslims in the Armed Forces.

In addition, serving Muslims will be given access to a network of local information so that they can find mosques close to their bases as well as details of local religious groups.

The AFMA will have its own website that provides a secure chat forum for members of the Forces and gives users the opportunity to put questions to Imam Asim Hafiz, Muslim Chaplain to the Armed Forces.

The Imam believes that the AFMA will provide support not only to Muslim members of the Armed Forces but also to commanding officers. He said:

"The make-up of Armed Forces is increasingly becoming a mirror of modern day Britain. We have people from all cultures, faiths and backgrounds.

"Initiatives like the Armed Forces Muslim Association will help to further boost the morale and confidence of Muslims that serve within the Services.

"We can also play a crucial role in helping the Armed Forces to better understand and meet the needs of Muslims within the demands of Service life.

"We can also play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the Muslims within the military and Muslims in the community.

• full article from MoD website: Support network for Muslim personnel launched