‘Part of a great family’: program teaches Muslim kids how to play hockey

Two months ago, most of the kids in the “Try Hockey” program had never even tried on a pair of skates. They’re now hockey players.

Twenty boys and girls from ages seven to 10 spent the 10-week program learning everything from holding a stick to skating drills. Many of them loved it so much they say they’ll sign up for minor hockey programs in the fall.

Some children are newcomers, while others were raised in the area. 

Dana Eldlk is one of the players.

Before she got on her skates, she had done gymnastics. But she saidAfter completing the program, hockey has become her favorite sport.

“I feel that hockey is truly unique because it’s something I love and it’s more than anything else. [else]She said. “My parents saidThey were so proud of me.”

The program was organized by the Ummah Masjid mosque in Halifax in partnership with the Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association.

It was created to remove any barriers that might prevent some children from playing.

“Most people have their grandfathers and fathers to rely upon when they play hockey.” said Ahmad Hussein, the chair of the board of the Ummah mosque.

“But, for newcomers to the sport, they struggle with the concepts how to purchase the gear, how register, and why skating is important not just for the game of hockey.”

Jumpstart Canada and Hockey Canada sponsored the program. They also donated local funds and offered a discount to Hawks equipment suppliers.

A Halifax Hawks coach designed the program, and local players signed up to help coach and tie skates.

Hussein saidThe community’s response has been “very warm.”

He saidHe wants Muslim children to feel connected to something larger than themselves and be able to discuss hockey with their peers.

“It’s a Canadian national sport and we believe everyone should have the chance to play it,” he stated. said.

“I think kids feel integrated when they are able to talk about the same topic that everyone else is discussing.”

Islam Omeran, one of the players, said he loved trying the sport with friends from his community. 

Omeran: “I enjoyed my hockey experience very much.” said. “It was much better than I had imagined.”

Hussein saidThe program’s cultural sensitivity was an important part of its success. The organizers took into consideration how parents could pray at the rink and how girls could wear a hijab under their helmet. 

After one of their players was made to use racial slurs in a tournament on P.E.I. last season, the Hawks were headlines.

Craig Robinson is a vice president with the Hawks said the program was in the works before that incident, but the organization hopes greater diversity in hockey will help prevent similar situations in the future. 

Robinson said, “Halifax is a rapidly changing population in terms of the community and new arrivals.” said. “So, we wanted to make certain that, if the hockey association of Halifax is successful, we represent Halifax.”

Hussein agreed.

“This is all in the interests of not changing the sport, but just adding that element of diversity in sport,” he said. “There is nothing wrong in hockey. It is only the obstacles that keep people from playing hockey.

Hussein was an expert in hockey and many Muslims didn’t even know what it was before the program. said the demand was huge.

“When we opened up registration, within 10 hours, we had 300 families registered for the program,” he said. 

Robinson saidThe Hawks are looking for funding and sponsorship opportunities in order to keep the program going.

“[Hockey]It might be a little secret. It might be a challenge to find out what it is, but stick with it, because once you get in, you can be part of a great family.”