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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'My Muslim family and our foster kids' | 'My Muslim family and our foster kids' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A case of a five-year-old Christian girl reportedly left distressed after being placed with Muslim foster carers has caused a stir. | |
| The Times reported that the family could not speak English - a claim later denied by Tower Hamlets Council - and that she was forced to remove a crucifix necklace and wasn't allowed to eat bacon. | The Times reported that the family could not speak English - a claim later denied by Tower Hamlets Council - and that she was forced to remove a crucifix necklace and wasn't allowed to eat bacon. |
| The London council has defended its placement procedures, saying foster carers are chosen according to their cultural background, as well as their proximity to the child's school and family. | The London council has defended its placement procedures, saying foster carers are chosen according to their cultural background, as well as their proximity to the child's school and family. |
| Here, we speak to a Muslim woman whose family has been fostering children from all religions for 25 years. | Here, we speak to a Muslim woman whose family has been fostering children from all religions for 25 years. |
| For as long as she can remember, Esmat Jeraj's family has taken in foster children. | For as long as she can remember, Esmat Jeraj's family has taken in foster children. |
| Their London home where she lives with her Mum, Dad, brother and sister has provided care and affection to some 60 children over a quarter of a century. | Their London home where she lives with her Mum, Dad, brother and sister has provided care and affection to some 60 children over a quarter of a century. |
| Some, like Esmat, have been Muslim, but there's been a real mix of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs too. | Some, like Esmat, have been Muslim, but there's been a real mix of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs too. |
| "I have never found ethnicity, race or religion has been an issue," says the 28-year-old community organiser. | "I have never found ethnicity, race or religion has been an issue," says the 28-year-old community organiser. |
| If a child wants a bacon sandwich, we would say you can't have that in this house but we can take you to a restaurant where you can have one. | If a child wants a bacon sandwich, we would say you can't have that in this house but we can take you to a restaurant where you can have one. |
| We made space for a Hindu child to keep their idols or goddess in their bedroom, and with Christian children, we always celebrate Christmas and Easter, she explains. | We made space for a Hindu child to keep their idols or goddess in their bedroom, and with Christian children, we always celebrate Christmas and Easter, she explains. |
| Her parents might even ask the foster child's family for a recipe for an ethnic dish to make them feel more at home. | Her parents might even ask the foster child's family for a recipe for an ethnic dish to make them feel more at home. |
| Foster carers are required to facilitate the practise of faith so we would give children access to churches or temples, she says. | Foster carers are required to facilitate the practise of faith so we would give children access to churches or temples, she says. |
| Being exposed to different people only enriches life, she says, as she recounts a story from around the time of the 2001 terror attacks on the US. | Being exposed to different people only enriches life, she says, as she recounts a story from around the time of the 2001 terror attacks on the US. |
| A boy of about nine or 10 had been "quite racist" when he had first been placed with them, she says. | A boy of about nine or 10 had been "quite racist" when he had first been placed with them, she says. |
| "He told us brown people should not speak English. | "He told us brown people should not speak English. |
| "Ten months or so later, he was the one standing up for my mum when she was facing racial abuse after 9/11." | "Ten months or so later, he was the one standing up for my mum when she was facing racial abuse after 9/11." |
| Esmat's family speak a mix of English and Gujarati, but when foster children are with them, they stick to English. | Esmat's family speak a mix of English and Gujarati, but when foster children are with them, they stick to English. |
| When her grandparents are there or at a family occasion with elder relatives, Esmat would speak Gujarati but would always translate the conversation so the child can understand. | When her grandparents are there or at a family occasion with elder relatives, Esmat would speak Gujarati but would always translate the conversation so the child can understand. |
| "I see the child as a member of our family," she says. | "I see the child as a member of our family," she says. |
| "They will attend family functions, we will celebrate their birthday, we will be a unit. | "They will attend family functions, we will celebrate their birthday, we will be a unit. |
| 'Space to flourish' | 'Space to flourish' |
| "When a child first arrives, there is nervousness, hesitation. We try to make them feel welcome and comfortable, and if they want to be alone, we give them space. | "When a child first arrives, there is nervousness, hesitation. We try to make them feel welcome and comfortable, and if they want to be alone, we give them space. |
| "Their wellbeing is utmost - it's not just about protecting them from physical harm but giving them space to flourish." | "Their wellbeing is utmost - it's not just about protecting them from physical harm but giving them space to flourish." |
| "I'm not going to lie - it can be incredibly challenging and stressful," she says, recalling one child who had to be taken to A&E nearly every day for one thing or another. | "I'm not going to lie - it can be incredibly challenging and stressful," she says, recalling one child who had to be taken to A&E nearly every day for one thing or another. |
| "It's important to remember they are a product of their experiences." | "It's important to remember they are a product of their experiences." |
| Local authorities do try to make a concerted effort to put children in a home that reflects their cultural and religious heritage, she says. | Local authorities do try to make a concerted effort to put children in a home that reflects their cultural and religious heritage, she says. |
| But more often, they are striving to place a child in the local area in an environment they are familiar with, as school is sometimes their one constant. | But more often, they are striving to place a child in the local area in an environment they are familiar with, as school is sometimes their one constant. |
| Her fear is the reported case of the Christian five-year-old will do little to remedy the current shortage of Muslim foster families. | Her fear is the reported case of the Christian five-year-old will do little to remedy the current shortage of Muslim foster families. |
| There is, she says, a much greater likelihood of Muslim children being placed with a non-Muslim family, than the other way round. | There is, she says, a much greater likelihood of Muslim children being placed with a non-Muslim family, than the other way round. |
| She says her parents, who have put their heads above the parapet to foster so many children, are disheartened by the coverage of the story. | She says her parents, who have put their heads above the parapet to foster so many children, are disheartened by the coverage of the story. |
| They worry it might dissuade others from coming forward and helping the most vulnerable children, she adds. | They worry it might dissuade others from coming forward and helping the most vulnerable children, she adds. |