Teacher quits school to set up jiu-jitsu classes

Sadia Mahmood (in blue) says she wants women to feel confident defending themselves

A former primary teacher has hung up her text books to provide classes of a different kind - for Muslim girls to learn combat martial arts.

Sadia Mahmood’s love for the sport grew after stumbling across a jiu-jitsu class in her home town of Bradford.

After moving to Birmingham, she noticed a lack of opportunities in the city for women and girls to train while wearing their hijabs, so she gave up classroom teaching and started the initiative.

“I want women from all walks of life to feel confident in defending themselves,” the mum-of-three said.

Students said they had become more confident

She recalled: "I was the eldest in my family and practised my kicks on my siblings after watching Karate Kid, so friends and family encouraged me to focus my energy in combat sports, I haven't looked back since."

Ms Mahmood, 42, from Small Heath, has a black belt in jiu-jitsu and teaches twice a week at the Aura Fitness gym in Tyseley.

She said: “It’s a safe space for Muslim women and young girls, we don’t have any men on site and we can lock the doors and its’ not open to the public so your members can feel safe.

“It’s about providing an opportunity to girls and women from all communities to stay fit, healthy and develop.

No men are allowed into the session to enable the students to train in privacy

“I was always keen to pass the knowledge onto others and help young girls feel confident and able to defend themselves.”

Some students attending the class said it had helped them to grow their social skills as well.

One student said: "As girls, we are often seen as the weaker gender. Our coach has really made me feel confident - not just physically but also mentally."