With the reports of children being bullied in schools because of their faith and to increase greater awareness of the Islamic faith, Braintree Islamic Centre are proposing the following initiatives to support schools. This will help ensure we instil in all our children mutual respect, understanding and tolerance of those with different beliefs and that Islam is a religion of peace and not what is being portrayed by some aspects of the media or by those who have associated it with their twisted ideology.

We have been welcoming school groups for over five years and all schools in our town are encouraged to bring their children for a visit. The sessions include presentations on the history of the mosque, the basics of Islam with an emphasis on prayer, a tour of the mosque, followed by an interactive question and answer session.

We have partnered with an organisation called Discover Islam (DI). DI visit schools around the country and run presentations on Islam and have years of experience. They have attended the government PREVENT training and their presentations are in line with the RE curriculum.

DI has already been booked by a few schools in Chelmsford and we hope Braintree schools will take advantage of this service. Check out their work at www.discoverislam.co.uk.

Prevent Strategy have now completed their training of school staff throughout Essex. Whilst the Government has provided guidelines for teachers through their programme we can supplement that with further training and support through Islamic workshops and staff CPD for Primary and Secondary schools teachers. We have access to experienced safe guarding policy experts and PREVENT trained personnel as well as Mrs Sidra Naeem, a qualified teacher and the Islamic representative and member of SACRE (Standing Advisory Council of Religious Education) for all schools in Essex. She readily delivers assemblies and classroom lessons covering all aspects of Islam.

We understand schools may require additional assistance with the arrival of asylum seekers and refugee children and we can help with language support and advice on religious specific needs.