Championing the Scottish Shia Muslim community in line with integration

"We felt as Scots with a Shia identity, we had to to highlight the diversity, inclusion and equality of all segments of Scottish society."

In championing Scotland’s rich and diverse cultural landscape, the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society (SABS) are an exemplary Muslim charity working in integrated ways. By initiating culture shifts, harnessing community involvement, and overcoming barriers, SABS have utilised integration to become a major stakeholder within Scottish society.

The organisation is involved in a variety of activities across Scotland, including with the third sector, academic institutions, governmental bodies, and interfaith groups. Former chairman, Shabir Beg OBE, says that SABS was founded to represent the Scottish Shia community, whilst ensuring that they could play an influential role in Scottish society going forward.

“I’ve always considered myself to be a proud Glaswegian, but in recent times, we really did have to figure out how we could be part of Scotland’s success”, Shabir says. “So we began to engage, and any barriers we had were taken down really easily, because everyone was so receptive to us chapping the door.”

SABS have worked on a diverse range of projects over the years, highlighting their commitment to partnership working for the benefit of the community. The organisation were the template used by the Scottish Professional Football League Trust in ensuring the inclusion of ethnic minorities in footballing activities, whilst they have worked with the Church of Scotland, the Bishop’s Conference of Scotland, and many other churches and traditions.

“We felt as Scots with a Shia identity, we had to get more involved in outreach work to highlight the diversity, inclusion and equality of all segments of Scottish society”, Shabir says. “In doing so, we’re able to showcase the humanitarian work we do, as well as the values we carry that are good for all practices within global and national citizenship.”

The charity have a strong relationship with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion and organise a blood donation campaign every year, allowing them to bring their community together, give blood, and save lives. They have also influenced policy developments in relation to organ donation, whilst working with the Scottish Government to push cultural shifts that can help meet the health needs of their community.

“From a faith perspective, we’ve been able to discuss the requirements of our community”, Shabir adds. “For example, in the case of males having circumcision, we were able to make arrangements there, so it’s been good for us and the recognition of being able to discuss these things in a robust manner has been very helpful to our community.”

In championing the specific needs of the Scottish Shia Muslim community and working collaboratively to make shared decisions, SABS have a strong partnership with Diabetes Scotland and regularly put forward recommendations for policy developments going forward.

“A lot of our community from the Indian subcontinent are liable to have diabetes”, Shabir says. “So we were able to engage with Diabetes Scotland and have a more robust conversation about how to have a partnership with them, which we do now, and we often put forward suggestions and recommendations on how to live a healthier life.”

In SABS commitment to building bridges and working collaboratively across Scottish society, Shabir says that the charity will always champion the key themes of integration by breaking down barriers, bringing the community together, and working in partnership.

“I think going forward is to have a legacy of our commitment to our country and our communities”, Shabir says. “This will always be irrespective of race, colour or creed, and looking at what’s best for us on a humanitarian front as a collective.”