Pilates in Bradford Mosques: Men’s Fitness & Friendship
- Its early afternoon on a gloomy day at the Jamia Usmania mosque in Bradford and a group of mostly elderly men have finished their midday prayers.
- the assembly of mainly retired men would usually return to the familiar drumbeat of day-to-day life, but instead they make their way downstairs to tackle squats, glute bridges...
- "It's a very unique thing for older Asian men," said Zafar Kayani, 69, the pilates instructor.
Its early afternoon on a gloomy day at the Jamia Usmania mosque in Bradford and a group of mostly elderly men have finished their midday prayers.
the assembly of mainly retired men would usually return to the familiar drumbeat of day-to-day life, but instead they make their way downstairs to tackle squats, glute bridges and the butterfly position in the mosque’s weekly 45-minute pilates class.
“It’s a very unique thing for older Asian men,” said Zafar Kayani, 69, the pilates instructor. “They’re coming here for their spiritual health. Then getting that physical exercise and mental wellbeing, and they’re connecting with each other.”
‘They’re connecting with each other,’ says instructor Zafar Kayani (in grey top). Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian
It has been a whirlwind few weeks for the organisers of the pilates sessions, which began at three mosques in Bradford with a small number of attenders. A tiktok video promoting the class went viral, since amassing almost 2m views, and interest has grown, with up to 30 people attending each session.
The TikTok sparked interest from mosques across the UK and farther afield, including from Malaysia and canada, with inquiries on how similar initiatives could be implemented for their congregation.
“We never expected it to go that viral,” said the mosque’s general secretary, Mohammed Ilyas. “It was just a general upload to promote and get more members in.It started from Bradford and if it goes worldwide, we believe it’s a positive thing and we’re making a change.”
The class is attended by men of varying abilities, aged between 50 and 80. “They feel comfortable in the habitat,” Ilyas said.”They come to pray already at the mosque, and after the prayers they can just join in the class, [in] whatever they’re wearing.”
jamia Usmania mosque Embraces Community Wellness programs
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The Jamia Usmania mosque in Bradford, England, is expanding its role beyond traditional worship by offering pilates classes and planning additional community activities, aiming to become a welcoming hub for all generations. These initiatives are designed to combat loneliness and foster social connections within the community.
Weekly pilates classes at the mosque have proven popular, fostering friendships and providing a social outlet for attendees. Akhtar Malik, manager of the Bradford Youth Development Partnership, emphasized the importance of these sessions in promoting happiness and motivation. Related discussions on the benefits of pilates for men have also gained traction.
“That’s the key thing – being happy, laughing – [it] gives you that motivation to keep coming, week in week out,” said Malik. “We provide a social platform where they can meet other people. It’s a friendship group.”
Expanding Mosque Services and Accessibility
Ilyas, a key figure driving the changes, envisions the mosque as a multi-purpose community center, reminiscent of services previously offered by the local council two decades ago. He aims to make the mosque accessible to both older and younger generations. The plan includes introducing pilates classes specifically for women and establishing youth clubs.
Ilyas articulated the goal of creating a more inclusive environment. “Make it as accessible as possible, not just for the elders, for the young generation as well, make the mosque welcoming.”
Bradford Youth development Partnership
The Bradford Youth Development Partnership (Bradford Youth Development Partnership official website) is collaborating in these efforts, providing a platform for social interaction and community building. The partnership’s involvement highlights a broader trend of community organizations working together to address social needs.