Fifteen Imams are to be given alcohol awareness training in a bid to break down the stigma of drinking within the Muslim community and encourage those with a problem seek help.

The Islamic clerics, all members of the Bradford Imam Forum, have been invited to the Lifeline Project in Bradford on Saturday for the training.

Faz Hafiz, a senior practitioner at Lifeline Piccadilly, said it was the first of its kind in the district.

“This will bring the Imams together to give them the basic tools to work within their communities to help those who have a problem with alcohol,” he said. “We will talk about things like the effect of alcohol on the human body and identify where levels of drinking are dangerous.”

Ilyas Khan, a member Bradford Imam Forum, who is a volunteer at the Lifeline Project, said the Imams recognised there was a problem and took it upon themselves to try to help by working with other organisations.

“We had a meeting a few weeks ago with Lifeline because there is a problem amongst the Asian community with alcohol but they are not aware of the help available to get off alcohol and recover from alcohol abuse,” said Mr Khan.

“There is a stigma because Islam forbids alcohol and drugs but the youngsters live in a Western society and they are readily available and when they grow up they are attracted to these things.

“Some people get sucked in badly but don’t seek help because they are scared what the community will think of them and are worried they will be treated as an outcast.

“We want to say ‘that is not the case, approach us and we can help’.”

They can come forward and confidentiality is assured – we don’t divulge information.

“Organisations like Lifeline are there to help and they do a tremendous job. I have been volunteering there for four weeks there are not many Asians using the service.

“Maybe they’re afraid to come forward and we want say ‘if there is a problem we can help you resolve it’.

“This training is going to equip us with the tools to help those who do approach us.

“We will be able to point them in the right direction to get the help and support they might need.

e-mail: claire.lomax@telegraphandargus.co.uk