Rotherham boxing club champions unity in the face of hatred
"I didn't want to speak out but it had got to the stage where I felt I had to”
A Rotherham boxing coach has spoken out against what he describes as a growing tide of hate speech, insisting there is no place for racism or religious intolerance at or around his community gym.
Abdul Majid, a Level Two coach at Unity Boxing Centre, said he had been reluctant to make a public video addressing the abuse he had seen on social media but felt compelled to speak up as the situation continued to worsen.
The Muslim-led gym, which aims to bring people together through boxing, has a zero-tolerance approach to hatred towards any faith, race or background.
In an interview with the Rotherham Advertiser, Abdul said: "I didn't want to speak out but it had got to the stage where I felt I had to.
"Even people who we have helped, as a gym, have started slating the religion.
"Rotherham is a small town and we should all get along.
"It is definitely getting worse.
"I have seen a lot more hate especially against Islam, which is getting slated and cussed.
"Our gym is all about Unity and that is what we want in this gym and this area."
In his video, Abdul said he was upset to see people he knew personally making derogatory comments about Muslims on social media.
He was particularly disappointed that some of those expressing hostility had previously turned to the gym for support during difficult periods in their lives.
Abdul added that people should not judge an entire religion by the actions of individuals, urging those making hateful comments to learn more before forming opinions.
He said the abuse was "just getting worse and worse" and called on people to approach one another with greater understanding rather than allowing prejudice to divide the community.
Abdul also stressed that Unity's commitment to inclusion extended to every faith, not just Islam.
"In this gym we won't tolerate any hate towards any religion, not just Islam, any religion whether it is Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism, we don't tolerate any of that towards anyone, skin colour religion race we don't tolerate any of that in this gym."
The Aldwarke Lane, Rawmarsh club was established to provide a safe and welcoming environment for people from all walks of life, with boxing serving as a way to build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.
Abdul said the gym welcomed people from different backgrounds, cultures and religions, and believed the sport had the power to unite people who might otherwise be divided.
The club has also issued an accompanying statement reinforced that message, declaring: "We will never tolerate hate to anyone regardless of Faith, Race, Gender, Age...
"The power of boxing doesn't just build individual strength, it builds commUNITY.
"Hate only divides us. Religion is currently being weaponised to divide us once again and at Unity we are for building bridges not burning then down," it said.
Alongside its work to support people through boxing, Unity is also looking to help other community organisations this Christmas.
Abdul explained that, after the gym's charity pot was stolen, the club had decided to carry on fundraising and was supporting the local St James' Church with the cost of a boiler, as well as Age UK and Rush House, a Rotherham charity that accommodation and support services to young people.
The statement ends with the hashtag #loveislouder.