"Ninjabis" learn to fight back in Britain
LONDON (Reuters) - Anyone tempted to pick on a headscarf-wearing Muslim woman better hope they don't run into a Ninjabi.
Every week around 30 Muslim women, most wearing veils, gather in a community centre in east London to learn how to block, knee and punch would-be attackers or lecherous men targeting passive-looking victims.
The organisers, who named the classes after Japanese Ninja warriors and women who wear the hijab, say Muslim women are looking to fight back against unwanted advances and a rising number of anti-Muslim attacks.
"The ladies love the Ninjabi thing. It gives them a good giggle," said class instructor Dee Terry, who is not a Muslim herself.
One of the attendees, 31-year-old mother Mahmuda Mazid, said she took up the classes after a gang of youths tried to rob her teenage brother while she was with him in a local park.
"There was this sheer feeling of helplessness that I couldn't help myself or my brother... and there was absolute rage," she said. "I knew I had to do something to equip myself.
"In the classes I saw protection and self defence. That's what I needed."
The classes start with a warm-up and then the women -- no men are allowed -- practise punches, strikes using the heel of the hand, knee strikes to the groin and defences against knives and sticks. Terry also teaches the women how to deter potential attackers by looking assertive.
The loose full-length clothing favoured by Muslim women rules out high-kicking manoeuvres but does not otherwise hinder movement, says Terry.
The Hijab and the Niqab -- which covers the face and leaves only the eyes visible -- clearly identify Muslim women, increasing their chances of becoming victims of anti-Muslim hostility. But Terry says Islamic clothing itself does not make it easier to attack a woman.
"An attacker can pull your headscarf but they can also pull your hair, so Islamic clothes don't make that much of a difference," added Terry, who also teaches Judo, Jujitsu and Kickboxing.
"PERVY MEN" AND "HOODIES"
In the dilapidated area where the classes are held, Muslim women said their biggest worry was harassment from "pervy men" and the violent anti-social behaviour of teenagers from urban low-income communities, popularly called "hoodies" and "chavs".
In other areas of London, Muslim women said growing hostility towards Muslims -- commonly called Islamophobia -- since London's July 7th bombings in 2005 was a big fear.
Attacks on Muslims in London nearly quadrupled in the days after the July attacks. Figures collated by London's Metropolitan Police, and presented in a report by the Muslim Safety Forum, showed 303 attacks in July 2005, up from 82 in the previous month.
Azad Ali, chairman of the forum, said the attacks ranged from verbal abuse and vandalism of mosques to physical attacks. But because of limitations in the way attacks are reported, the real number is likely to be far higher, he added.
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"ENTER THE NINJABI"
Official figures cite London as having the largest proportion of Muslims in the UK at 3.8 percent. The Ninjabi classes are held in the Newham area of the capital, where Muslims make up 24 percent of local inhabitants.
The organisers said the classes were a response to overwhelming demand from Muslim women.
"It was a need. Women were coming and asking for self- defence classes. We had heard of increasing Islamophobia and other sorts of attacks on Muslim women," said Mizan Raja, a coordinator of Islamic Circles, the organisation running the classes.
The organisers say although similar self-defence classes are common the light-hearted approach which respects the women's faith has made the Ninjabi classes massively popular.
"We could fill a class a day. It's totally oversubscribed," said Raja.
The organisers plan to split the class according to experience, using names inspired by 1970s Hong Kong films starring martial arts legend Bruce Lee.
The beginners' level will be called "Enter the Ninjabi", the next will be "Return of the Ninjabi", then "Way of the Ninjabi". The organisers also plan to expand the Ninjabi concept.
"It's about empowering Muslim women... We could do it throughout the country," Raja added.
Comment:
Excellent initiative and in line with the Sunnah and a great way to teach Islamophobes a lesson they wont forget and will also deter Muslims men with the cultural mindset not to engage in wife beating.
Might be an idea for the sisters not to mention they have qualifications in martial arts to prospective husbands in case they frighten them away, after all husband beating is quite under reported.
So will any sisters from here be signing up to become a Ninjabi?
That sounds way cool.
I've always wanted to learn self defence...I used to fight with my brother when I was a kid, but I dont even do that anymore.
A friend of mine - who happens to be shorter than me is so fiesty that she has it in her to jump of the back of people who mug her...just to get her purse back.
I don't have it in me naturally...but I'd def be intrested in learning self defence.
Everyone such know basic self defence.
However I am not too hot on the term "ninjabi".
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Why not? I think its quite cool...
Aslong as they dont expect to be shinobi its fine.
Back in BLACK
What's that supposed to mean. Are you saying sisters who know martial arts will be beating their husbands?
I would think that husbands would want their wife to know self defence/martial arts.
Lol, not a good idea, esp. if she's that short. Being heavy would be an advantage in this situation, as their weight would slow down the mugger, or even better.... squash them!
relax bro, it was my attempt at humour
[url]www.7cgen.com[/url], the place to be
Erm, it's not that funny, or unrealistic. I agree women should learn self-defence.
[size=10]The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.[/size]
[size=9]Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)[/size]
Im just wondering why this made the papers? :? :? Is there an assumption that a modestly dressed person would not be concerned with their health/keeping fit/self defence? Perhaps its because its called "ninjabi" hmm
The press has an obsession with hijab/niqab - it needs to realise that Islam isnt simply about wearing a piece of cloth - get over it folks, its worn out :evil:
There are quite a few places that teach martial arts/self defence (that include Muslim women instructors) - in fact, the European Champion in some martial art (sorry i forget) was a hijab wearing Muslimah a few years ago
oh and btw, im working towards my black belt - AND i wear hijab (alhamdulilah)
ps. Men should learn a thing or to about self-defence too (its a fard obligation to protect and care for your family after all
) Umar (ra) used to walk down the street casting a shadow over people - people used to walk to the other side because they feared him
May Allah shine sweet faith upon you this day and times beyond. May your heart be enriched with peace, and may your home be blessed always. Ameen.
Amal,
The reason it made the news will be that the organisers issued an attractive press release to publicise it.
[size=10]The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.[/size]
[size=9]Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)[/size]
Everyone knows basic self defence.
For the people who know or are learning martial arts, do you think you will be able to use your skills if mugged by someone? or if someone produced a knife, would you be able to disarm them?
It's not like how they show it in the movies (eg. Karate Kid), where there's a happy ending and he takes out all the bad guys.
I read this story in the metro sometime last year. In Germany, a teenager tried to mug a pensioner, unaware that the pensioner was a professional boxer in his younger days. Guess what happened... the pensioner knocked the mugger out with one punch!
So would you say boxing is a better alternative to martial arts?
Btw how do you get a black belt, is it like a tournament where you fight against other people or is it like the educational process; the instructor says you can advance to the next stage and gives you a pass.
@Amal's last comment. I don't think people want others to be scared of them, unless you're a gangster ofcourse.
I know a Malay guy who taught me some basic moves in the martial art 'Silat'. Including the BEST places to punch someone and how to kill someone if you want.
He doesn't know how to dodge bullets tho...
Don't just do something! Stand there.
I'm sure there are times when I would resort to other tactics, run away or comply, but I would generally give it my best shot.
[size=10]The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.[/size]
[size=9]Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)[/size]
We all know where that is
Easy, bend over backwards.... matrix style!
Actually its not where you'd expect
, its either right between the eyes, on the adams apple or on the chest in the middle JUST below the ribcage (I do NOT condone the use of this advice!!)
I think you're mistaking it for the best place to [b]kick[/b] someone...
Don't just do something! Stand there.
erm.... yeah
but for a (really) short person, kicking would be too high if they were up against a tall person.
Muslims are about to invade Europe, morally.
Ayatollah rightly named America as "Great Satan".
www.presstv.ir
ive already replied to this topic elsewhere so i don't wana repeat myself gets boring for me. But i don't think the term ninjabi is cool either, agree with admin.
Muslimbro it doesn't matter if someone is smaller than the person attacking, most oriental folks are short yet they're the ones excelling in and teaching us the arts. With the right skills a short person can bring down a taller one, don;t underestimate short ppl it's kinder patronising.
Isn't the term "ninjabi" sort of derogatory in some ways ? :?
Hey and regarding short people......some of the toughest guys around where i am from are short :roll: !!
my husband' not the tallest of men but i thght he was one of the best guys i had met so i thght what the heck i'll "overlook" the height no pun intended lol.
Like FHP said i am surprised how confident and tough he acts. He doesn't seem to care about having it out with ppl bigger and taller than him if they give him trouble. But i'm always afraid for him i say please don't start with that guy look how big he is. He says so what i don't care if he's taller than me if he's giving me trouble when i;'m being polite he'll get what's coming his way..seriously scares me.
He had an altercation with someone bigger in his face,,, and yes the other man was in the wrong, he even threatened my hubby with some "gang" beating, husband said go and bring your gang i'm waiting i thght...sugar i need to call my brothers or something :? Suffice to say he never has trouble he is confident he doesn't let his height effect him i'm sure some ppl would have self esteem issues if they were short but he sure doesn't hes short tough, very charismatic, very ambitious and he never lets ppl walk over him. I actually look up to him no pun lol. So i'm slightly taller than him but i lack in many other departments i'm not confidently spoken for starters, i wish i was, nerves get the better of me.
Abit like burkini maybe.
Can someone please show me where I said that tall people are stronger/better or whatever than short people. All I said was that punching in the crown jewels would be better than kicking.... for a (really) short person.
The reason it can be deemed offensive is not because it is a twist of a word.
It is because some use the word "ninja" to mock and ridicule "Jilbab" wearers.
It is because of that context it can be deemed offensive.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
i don't see why 'ninjabi' is offensive [b]just[/b] because its a twist of words.
Unless the word 'hijabi' itself is offensive, in which case it would be.
However, I've never come across anyone offended by the term hijabi, please tell me if I'm wrong so I don't upset anybody!
Don't just do something! Stand there.
I think it's a form of ridicule for the reasons admin has already explained, everyone may not feel like that fair play to them. They may think it's a cool title. but it sounds like ninja and unless you hear a non muslim mockingly calling ur sister a ninja i doubt you'd understand the reason i take offense.
hold on, do u mean Jilbab wearers or Niqab wearers?
if you mean the Niqab I can see why it is offensive
i think i'm just getting mixed up
Don't just do something! Stand there.
It is insulting to call our honourable Muslims sisters ninjas.
How would others like it if we call their girls who not wear hijab, sluts?
Ayatollah rightly named America as "Great Satan".
www.presstv.ir
:shock:
...............
malik has got me in stitches.............what a guy !!!!!!!!!!!
You do that anyway!
(I think)
yeah, niqab, not jilbab on my previous post.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
The tv and newspapers attacks the most our beautiful women in graceful hijab.
Yet we see that it is the kafir women that are converting the most to Islam.
God knows perfectly how to settle the score with those who hate the honourable ladies.
Ayatollah rightly named America as "Great Satan".
www.presstv.ir
I wana learn self defence I wana be a ninjabi!
I havent realy looked around to see girls classes but it would be cool knowing you can defend yourself.