Muslims teens bring positive impact to their own through creating social film

A campaign giving young people interesting things to do on Friday and Saturday nights are backed by teenagers who have created their own film on living as Muslims in Rochdale, England.

The boys-only group “Don’t Hate Us, Rate Us”, based at Wardleworth and Hamer Youth Centre, recently filmed and produced ‘Proud To Be Muslim’, a short film focusing on the reality of day-to-day life as a Muslim in Rochdale.

These young teens filmed in a local mosque and challenged negative preconceptions of the faith, interviewing local peace makers and members of the local Islamic community.

The short film is expected to be accepted by the local schools and youth centres as part of their educational package.

The ‘Proud To Be Muslim’ group reportedly meets every Friday night at the youth centre, discussing current affairs and other issues.

The group was made up of 15 young Asian men, aged between 13 and 17.

Local residents reported the young teen boys had regularly been a nuisance on Friday evenings, hanging around and carrying out anti social behaviour.

Youth worker Mohammed Sheraz decided to assist the boys set up “Don’t Hate Us, Rate Us” and spend their spare time in a positive way.

Mohammed spoke to those local teenagers and asked what they would like to do with their spare time, and many of them expressed a strong interest in news and current affairs, and suggested they would like to bring ‘Proud To Be Muslim’ into a reality.

Mr Sheraz said: “Some of these young men used to cause trouble in their local community, but we have harnessed their creativity and they are now engaged in a really positive project. It’s so important for young people to have interesting activities to take part in on weekend evenings, when they want it the most.”

The film was launched on 10 and 11 July, in a weekend of free nationwide activities to kick-start the campaign, which is part of the Government’s Aiming High Strategy for young people.

It was a key milestone for local authorities and their partners to work together to improve positive activities for young people.

During the film launching weekend, young teens took part in a variety of activities from playing in a rock band to making pizza.

The government has planed to provide £3.988 million for those youths between 2008 and 2011 in Rochdale, England. It will ensure young people have places to go and things to do at their weekend.