His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visited a flagship event at St Philips Centre on 25 January, Leicester to witness the on-going work between the Army and ethnic minority communities.
Army formations from across the UK, including Nottingham-based 7 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East, also known as The Desert Rats, HQ London District and 4 Infantry Brigade based in Catterick, showcased a range of multi-faith engagement activity undertaken last year that highlighted how they are engaging with different ethnic minority communities to build lasting connections and mutual trust.
Guests included the many community leaders that the brigades are working with to strengthen integration through dialogue and understanding. This included the Karimia Institute who, along with 15 other Muslim organisations in Nottingham, signed the Armed Forces Covenant in December.
Army Reserve Unit, 158 Regiment RLC that has squadrons based in the East Midlands and East Anglia briefed His Royal Highness on the work it has been doing with the Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities in Leicester.
His Royal Highness also heard about the work of 7 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East. The Deputy Commander Colonel Stuart Williams spoke to The Prince of Wales about the close links the Brigade has built with the Muslim and Afro-Caribbean communities across the East Midlands.
Army formations from across the UK showcased a range of activities that took place last year to strengthen the Army's relationship with minority and faith groups. They included Brigades from Nottingham, London, Catterick, Preston and Donnington which have delivered engagement activities and events including youth and adult military challenge weekends and a visit to a military field hospital.
As well as meeting some of the participants, His Royal Highness was introduced to community leaders working with the brigades to open up the dialogue and build trust between the army and people of different faiths. The Karimia Institute for example, is one of 16 Muslim organisations in Nottingham which signed the Armed Forces Covenant in December. The Covenant is a written and publicised voluntary pledge from business, charities and organisations who wish to demonstrate their concrete support for the Armed Forces Community. Dr Hussain Musharraf of the Karimia Institute, Dr Ezekiel Alawale of God’s Own Vineyard Ministries and the Reverend Canon Christian Weaver from the Pilgrim Church were amongst the guests.
Lieutenant Colonel David Utting, Head of Engagement at HQ London District, spoke to His Royal Highness about how the London HQ is working hard to break down barriers and misconceptions in the Boroughs of London and the relationships that the Army has built with local communities.
Every external activity organised by HQ London District has a multi-ethnic and multi-faith dimension. The District also organises specific events with particular faith groups. For example, it joined the Sikh community in commemorating the Battle of Saragarhi.
The Prince of Wales also met six Cadets from 193 (Southall) Detachment, XIX Company Middlesex and North West London Army Cadet Force who spoke about life in the cadets including visits to local temples and Army units.
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Hunter, SO1 MCI (Military Civil Integration) for ethnic communities at 4 Infantry Brigade spoke about how the Catterick based Brigade is working with the Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance. Four young people from the Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance demonstrated first aid skills they had learnt on an Army Insight day organised by the Brigade.
Later His Royal Highness met Peterborough Cadet Lion Kheswa who attends Thomas Deacon Academy and is a member of its Combined Cadet Force. Lion was presented to His Royal Highness in recognition of his actions in helping prevent a suicidal woman from jumping from the top of a multi-storey car park. Lion built up a rapport with the woman and spoke to her until the Police arrived. 14-year old Lion was praised by the Police for his actions.
The Commander Home Command, Lieutenant General James Bashall, the General Officer Commanding Regional Command, Major General Richard Stanford and military representatives from 11 Signal Brigade and Army HQ North West were also in attendance. Music was provided by The Band of The Brigade of Gurkhas.
The event was one of four engagements His Royal Highness was attending in the city.
Recruitment and Diversity in the Army
The Army welcomes people from all backgrounds. Whatever your gender, race, ethnic origin or religious belief, there is a role for you in the Army. No account is taken of sexual orientation or social background. The Army has a strict code of conduct to make sure that everyone is treated fairly asnd it always tries to help you observe the customs of your faith.
There are hundreds of different jobs to choose from, and soldiers are trained with skills that they can use both in and out of the Army. They learn military skills, get qualifications and develop personally as well. The Army has the largest apprenticeship programme in the country, with about 95 percent of new soldiers taking part and over 8,000 completing their apprenticeship training each year. Army apprenticeships are part of a nationally recognised scheme, giving soldiers the chance to work for an employer at the same time as studying for a relevant, work-based qualification.
Hindu soldiers
There are currently around 2,600 Hindus serving in the Regular Army, who are employed in a variety of roles and do so balancing the needs of the services and their faith, while maintaining operational effectiveness. Those serving have no doubt that practising their faith while serving complements the Army’s values of selfless commitment, courage, discipline, integrity, loyalty and respect for others.
Hindu soldiers can wear Rakhi and tilak provided that they don’t compromise operational effectiveness or health and safety. They are able to celebrate festivals, such as Diwali and can opt to be Vegetarian in camps, on operations and on exercise, and quiet rooms are available when one wants to pray.
Hindus are ministered to by the Hindu Chaplain to the Forces, Acharya Krishan Kant Attri MBE, who offers spiritual support, pastoral care and moral guidance. The Armed Forces Hindu Network serve the Hindus.
Muslim soldiers
There are currently around 550 Muslims serving, who are employed in a variety of roles.
Muslim soldiers are allowed to wear a full beard, in accordance with Islamic tradition as long as operational mission and safety are not risked. Female Muslim soldiers are allowed to trousers and shirts with the sleeves rolled down, so that their arms and legs are covered and also allowed to wear a hijab with orders of dress. They can observe Ramadan, depending on circumstances and Halal food is available at camps, during exercises and operations.
Muslims are ministered by the Imam to the Forces, Imam Ali Omar who offers spiritual support, pastoral care and moral guidance. There's also a Defence Islamic adviser, Imam Asim Hafiz, who advises those in charge of the UK Armed Forces on all Islamic matters. There's also a network for serving Muslims called the Armed Forces Muslim Association
Sikh soldiers
There are currently around 150 Sikhs serving in the Regular Army, who are employed in a variety of roles. A turban (or patka) may be worn by Sikh soldiers with all orders of dress, subject to safety and operational considerations (for example if a helmet is required on operations). Kanga, Kara, Kacha and Kirpans can also be worn, and an uncut beard can be kept, provided that operational effectiveness and health and safety are not at risk.
Sikhs are ministered to by the Sikh Chaplain to the Forces, Mrs Mandeep Kaur, who offers spiritual support, pastoral care and moral guidance. She offers her support to all serving members of the Armed Forces and their families in UK and overseas. There is also a network for serving Sikhs, the Armed Forces Sikh Association.
Buddhist soldiers
Buddhist soldiers serve in both the Regular and Reserve forces. There are currently around 800 Buddhists serving in the Regular Army.
There are no special arrangements in place for Buddhist soldiers with regard to dress and worship. Vegetarian options are available in camp, on operations and on exercise.
Buddhists are ministered to by the Buddhist Chaplain to the Forces, Dr SM Kariyakarawana, who offers spiritual support, pastoral care and moral guidance. Most units are establishing World Faith Prayer Rooms (WFPR) or quiet rooms for those who wish to meditate. The Armed Forces Buddhist Society serve Buddhists.
