The RCMP for the first time has been invited to the Muslim Family Fun Day at the Richmond Mosque on July 6th.

Fun Day organizers have extended the invitation in a bid to build bridges between Muslims and the Mounties.

The annual event is presented by the B.C. Muslim Association (BCMA) Burnaby Branch, the BCMA's Youth in Motion club and – this year for the first time – the RCMP National Security Youth Advisory Council.

A summertime thank you to all members of the community for their undying support in building the Burnaby Mosque, located at 5060 Canada Way, the event is meant to be a fun-filled day for kids with different activities to keep them busy all day.

This is the 7th year that the BCMA has hosted the fete, which has grown in popularity in the past two years to become an annual highlight within the community, with an estimated 70,000 members in Metro Vancouver.

The RCMP has been invited this year because Muslim youth and the police force have forged a new outreach relationship over the past 12 months.

As part of that initiative, an RCMP-sponsored Youth Conference was held recently at the Surrey Simon Fraser University campus to reach out to Metro Vancouver's Muslim young adults.

Conference and Fun Day organizer Firaz Yasin says it is important that local youth have role models and support structures when dealing with misconceptions in the larger community.

Youth, he says, can often be overwhelmed by the negative portrayal of their community on the global stage.

"The RCMP really wanted to bring awareness to local youths on how to get help and seek advice," says Yasin.

But just as importantly, adds Yasin, it is hoped that by welcoming the RCMP at Muslim events, young Muslims will take advantage of the open door and pursue a career in policing.

"The BCMA plans on supporting Muslim youth who plan to be a part of the RCMP by continuing to provide such opportunities," says Imtian Asin, vice president for BCMA youth services.

"We are committed to the preservation of a Muslim identity by having one on one discussions on discrimination issues," he says.

Cpl. Tariq Qureshi is an avid supporter of Muslim youth interested in pursuing careers with law enforcement agencies.

"The RCMP does not have the [Muslim] representation in this field," he suggests. "Why are we constantly pushing our children to become a doctor or a lawyer and not encouraging them to go into law enforcement agencies, which have a potential for far greater impact in benefiting the community."

The BCMA youth group is always looking for new members and new ideas and can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].

South Asian Poston Page 22.

He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]