The Muslim News

Watford Observer:

CRIME, drugs, social exclusion and racism are just some of the problems Muslim youths in Watford are experiencing, according to the organisers of a new action group.

The Muslim Youth Association (MYA) aims to tackle these issues with a programme of educational activities that will help youngsters focus on their religious and cultural identities, as well as giving them something to do.

MYA co-ordinator Numan Majeed said: "Unfortunately, many Muslim youths in Watford are experiencing a variety of problems. In light of this and the recent drugs raids in West Watford by the police a team of professional Muslims and I have taken it upon ourselves to set up a local Muslim youth group to tackle these problems head on."

The group will officially launch this Sunday, at the Dallow Learning Community Centre in Luton. The event follows a series of successful events held over the past few months involving hundreds of young people, ranging from football tournaments to cultural activities in the month of Ramadan.

Mr Majeed said: "MYA was set up by a group of like-minded individuals to combat the increasing sense of alienation and desperation in young people in general, and Muslim youth in particular, as increasing levels of youth crime, underage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and drug abuse have blighted many communities."

The MYA programme aims to help young people in traditional pursuits such as sports and education, while maintaining a strong focus on preserving their religious and Islamic identity.

MYA is an independent, non-partisan, non-sectarian not-for-profit organisation which is not affiliated to any government or institutional body.

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