Al-Nisa Association first developed our information pack ‘Muslim Culture & Traditions’ in 2000, following the introduction of the Section 75 Equality Duty on public authorities in Northern Ireland. We launched a second edition of the pack in September 2006.

We were approached by many public authorities at that time for information on the Muslim community, our culture and traditions so they that could screen their policies for equality issues. As a result we decided that it would be useful to produce a document which provided information for general use by public authorities on the Muslim community. We also produced additional fact-sheets of specific information for services delivered by health and social services, the police service and the education system.

We have used the 1st edition of the pack over the past five years to deliver cultural awareness and information sessions on Muslim Culture & Traditions to many public sector, voluntary sector and community organisations as you can see from our annual reports. Around 200 organisations and individuals are using the 1st edition of pack in their own training programmes. Earlier this year we identified gaps through our training delivery which we felt could be addressed through reviewing and updating our information pack.

So we have now produced this new second edition which brings together the information in our original information pack, with more specific guidelines including in our previously separate fact sheets. The 2nd edition also includes much more information on Muslim women’s issues, rights and responsibilities.

Members of the Muslim community have reported significantly improved services in some public sector agencies since the introduction of Section 75. Particularly among some of the healthcare providers and police services. We are keen to support the public sector and services providers to continually improve services to the Muslim community and to all Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.

We hope you will all find this information pack useful for your organisation and use it in the training and awareness raising of your staff.

If you would like Al-Nisa to be involved in any of your training programmes please feel free to contact us on 028 0228135. We are a totally voluntary organisation without staff, so leave a message on our answering service and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.