Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Students at Sandhurst School will be the first in Bracknell Forest to see a special drama production aimed at steering vulnerable young people away from the path of racial and religious intolerance.

The Khayaal Theatre group is coming to the Sandhurst school on Wednesday, November 4, to perform Hearts & Minds, a play about identity and and how a young person might become drawn into violence.

Its central character is Asif, a Muslim teenager in the UK whose views of the world are challenged by events around him and who finds he has tough choices to make about what he believes.

Sam Hunt, assistant headteacher at the Sandhurst school, said: "I hope the play, which forms part of the citizenship curriculum, will give the year 10 students something to think about and discuss."

The play, which was specially commissioned by Reading-based Berkshire Forum against Extremism and the Muslim Education Forum in Luton, supports the Government's PREVENT strategy which is being rolled out to schools across the UK.

Ms Hunt, said: "We arranged for the play to be performed at the school because we wanted the debate to be far wider than just Islamic extremism. We want to tackle Islamaphobia which appears to be growing in this country.

"The play and the subsequent discussions among pupils will go a long way towards dispelling myths and misunderstandings about Islam. It offers some insight into basic tenets of the faith that counter representations of Islam as a religion that encourages violence and revenge.

"We also plan to discuss other forms of extremism such as neo-nazism and animal rights activism. The play is designed to spark debate about how positive protest to change society is a better option than disaffection and violence."

Local Bracknell Forest ward councillors and members of the Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society have been invited to see the play.

Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for Sandhurst public protection, said: "We are fortunate to live in an area where racial tensions are not a major problem. But it is important to open a dialogue about these issues, both in schools and in the wider community.

"This is an excellent play and there is an opportunity and funding for other schools and community groups to invite the theatre company to perform it."

Bracknell Forest Council ~ Sandhurst