At the forefront of this movement is Dilruba Begum, 43, who guides a kayak along a canal, her paddle gently cutting through the water.

“Out here, you can be anyone,” Dilruba reflects, savoring the freedom that the water offers.

Two years ago, Dilruba, overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood, discovered a free, women-only paddle sports program in her community.

Now, as a qualified paddle sport instructor, she helps other women—many from marginalised communities—explore water sports they once believed were out of reach.

The program, launched by local housing association Poplar HARCA, has grown from 18 participants to around 70, many of whom, like Dilruba, had never imagined themselves on the water.

The initiative’s impact goes beyond the physical benefits of sport. Dilruba and eight other women, including Atiyya Zaman, 38, have now qualified as instructors and formed London’s first all-female, Muslim-led boat club, “Oar and Explore.”

The club, which caters to women of diverse backgrounds, operates in one of London’s most economically disadvantaged areas—Tower Hamlets—using the borough’s extensive canal network to create access to “blue spaces.”

Breaking Barriers
For Muslim women, participating in water sports presents unique cultural and religious challenges. Many, like Naseema Begum, 47, faced cultural taboos, especially regarding modesty and the hijab.

Naseema, who now teaches alongside Dilruba, wanted to show that “you can wear anything and go in the water. As long as you’ve got the right equipment… anyone can take part.”

Her own niqab has never been a barrier, and the program’s inclusive approach to attire has made the sport accessible for local Muslim women.

Affordability is another key factor. Private boating clubs often charge prohibitive fees, a barrier for women managing household finances.

This community-led initiative removes that obstacle, offering women the chance to learn and participate in water sports without sacrificing their budget or responsibilities.

Beyond the physical activity, the water offers emotional solace. Dilruba describes it as “an escape,” a place where she can reflect and find peace.

For Atiyya, too, kayaking provided a much-needed release from the stresses of parenting and work during the pandemic. Both women emphasize the mental health benefits of connecting with nature through these activities.

With plans to raise funds for their own boats and storage, the women of “Oar and Explore” are determined to continue breaking down barriers. They aim to inspire future generations of Muslim women, proving that water sports are not only accessible but an empowering space for growth, community, and self-discovery.

As Dilruba puts it, “The enjoyment and confidence I’ve built from this, I want to pass it on to others and tell them there’s more to life.”

Source: About Islam

The 28-year-old martial arts expert said she wanted to help women of color to learn how to deal with abuse and build connections and confidence after more than a week of unrest aimed at mosques, asylum seeker hotels and the police.

“It gives you a little bit more confidence,” she said. “You kind of know what to look for, how to be socially aware, how to spot things and how to get out of a really bad situation.”

Muslim and ethnic minority communities have expressed shock over the disorder which was sparked by false information online that the suspected killer of three young girls in a knife attack in Southport, northwest England, was an Islamist migrant.

Martial arts instructor Stewart McGill said he had seen more women signing up for classes since the unrest started. He told them how to defend themselves with tactics including kicks and impromptu weapons such as belts.

One attendee, Elza Annan, 24, said she felt more confident.

“I obviously don’t want to have to use these techniques but it is useful and beneficial to have them … especially because of recent events of far-right racists coming out and targeting people of color,” she said.

The riots have largely targeted migrants, Muslims, and Asian people, spreading fear through ethnic minority communities and casting a light on Britain’s record of integration.

Tell MAMA UK, a group that monitors anti-Muslim incidents, said hate directed at Muslims had been growing in Britain for some time, and especially since Oct. 7 last year, the start of the conflict in Gaza.

Since the riots began, it had received more than 500 calls and online reports of anti-Muslim behavior across Britain.

Sunder Katwala, director of the think-tank British Future, which focuses on migration and identity, said at its best, Britain is a “confident multi-ethnic democracy”.

But he said successive governments had lacked a strategy for integrating different communities. While those arriving recently from Ukraine and Hong Kong were given government support, that did not happen to all.

The asylum system faced particular pressures, with a huge backlog of applications and some Britons concerned about pressure on housing, healthcare and education.

“With asylum you’ve got a visible lack of control, and that can feed into fear,” he said.

The riots have largely stopped since thousands of anti-racism protesters turned out to protect potential targets such as immigration advice centers, mosques, and hotels housing asylum seekers.

Hassan, who wears a hijab and is a Swiss national of Somali origin, moved to Britain in 2008, partly because she felt it was more welcoming to ethnic minorities than many parts of Europe. She is considering organizing more classes.

A similar event was planned for Manchester, northern England, and a campaign group, The Three Hijabis, held a large online conference call with Muslim women this week to discuss the psychological impact of Islamophobic violence.

Shaista Aziz, the group’s director, said some women feared that the violence could unleash confrontations or abuse, prompting many to stay close to home.

“Today I advised a sister I dearly love to consider removing her hijab to stay safe as she travels through the Northeast …” she said on X during the riots. “Across the country British Muslims are having these same conversations.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has ordered extra protection for the Muslim community, described rioters as “far-right thugs” and almost 800 people have been arrested, with some fast-tracked through the courts and jailed.

The anti-racism protests are likely to continue.

For Maki Omori, 23, who identifies as non-binary, Saturday’s class would help prepare for counter protests.

“I found it really intimidating, thinking about how I would defend myself,” Omori said. “I want to make sure that if something happens, I feel ready.”

Source: Reuters