This summer will mark 20 years since the terrible events in London which prompted the foundation of the inspiring sport for development organisation Salaam Peace. Jon Harland visited one of its programmes in East London and created this inspiring short film for ConnectSport.
Just one week after the 7/7 terror attacks of July 2005, Dr Sabir ‘Sab’ Bham was invited by the then UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to a reception at 10 Downing Street, held in recognition of charity workers supporting their communities.
His experience on the train journey home from that event affected him deeply and sparked the idea to form Salaam Peace.
DIVISION
“I got onto the tube and people started trembling, breaking into sweat, and gripping handrails,” said Sab. “I could see fear in their faces. I was dressed smartly, but they thought I was a terrorist because I am Muslim.
“It made me feel horrible, but at the same time I understood their fear.”
London was suffocated by mistrust and division, so Sab decided to set up the ‘Eid Cup’, a football event that brought together the Police, the Army, and various communities, not just the Muslim community. Sab explained: “That Eid Cup was the forerunner for Salaam Peace; how sport can address a number of agendas, especially bringing people together.”
Sab wanted to use sport as a vehicle to bridge divides, develop friendships and build respect. Since its formation in East London in 2009, Salaam Peace has grown into a multi-sport organisation that provides after-school clubs and leagues, PE lessons in schools, group gym sessions and outdoor fitness.
Salaam Peace delivers 120 hours of projects to over 1,500 people of all ages and backgrounds each week. It has won multiple awards, including the 'Sport for Social Change' category at the 2019 SJA British Sports Awards which is co-ordinated by ConnectSport CIC.
“Seeing challenging individuals develop into fantastic young adults has been the biggest satisfaction,” said Sab. “Instead of blaming others for how we are perceived, we have to be the change in the community we want to see.”
DEVELOP
Sab invited ConnectSport to visit one of the community sports sessions at Edinburgh Primary School in Walthamstow, a short walk from Salaam Peace’s office. It was a volunteer-led children’s football session, and the organisation’s CEO Azi Mohammed explained what he hoped the participants would gain from the session.
“We want [the participants] to develop as footballers, but the more important thing is the transferrable skills,” Azi shared. “We want them to communicate, make friends, take leadership responsibilities and develop a sense of resilience.”
Other community sports sessions include women’s fitness, adult walking groups, cycling and multi-sport sessions. Activities are low cost, community-led and tailored to participants, who range from people as young as three years old to those in their 80s.
“We want everyone to feel welcome when they come to Salaam Peace,” he said. “Whatever brought them to us, once they are here, they are part of the family. We want them to come somewhere they feel like they belong, learn good habits, see good role models and help them fulfil their potential.”
As well as providing fun and uniting people, Salaam Peace uses these sessions to deter violence and crime through the power of sport. Sab (pictured above left) says community-based organisations continue to provide effective interventions for critical issues such as radicalisation and serious youth violence.
“It’s not just sport, I would include music and art in this,” he said. “But when young people haven’t got a passion, or something that keeps them engaged positively, then they are more likely to go down a negative pathway.”
DISCIPLINED
Sab explained how sport kept him grounded and disciplined when approaching adulthood. While his friends began attending nightclubs and using drugs on Friday nights, Sab opted for the gym and prepared for early morning training sessions.
“My oldest friendships started on the sports pitch. It's the respect you gain on the sports pitch that’s stuck with me. As I started to volunteer and grow into this industry, I realised the amount sport can do. It’s a fantastic way of sharing positive messages.”
The kindness and unwavering dedication of Sab and his team to improving the wellbeing of people in the community is impressive. As Salaam Peace continues to grow and welcome more participants, Sab hopes the organisation can empower individuals to become the best version of themselves and, in turn, pass those values on to others, creating a lasting, positive ripple effect.
To find out more, visit salaampeace.org
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