The Leeds United Foundation recently hosted a special football festival event with children from the local community invited to participate and celebrate World Hijab Day.

The annual awareness event is held in February and aims to educate and raise awareness around the hijab and help promote religious tolerance and understanding. The hijab is worn by approximately 800 million women across the globe, and World Hijab Day gives them a chance to promote the right of religious expression, and explain that it is not just a piece of fabric but a symbol of their way of life.

The exclusive football festival was held on Friday 21st February by the club's official charity, with over 50 youngsters taking part along with lots of parents and family friends also in attendance.

Alongside the fun footballing activities and mini tournaments, a number of educational workshops were also delivered, with the opportunity to explain what the hijab is and the importance of empowerment, being an ally and supporting others who may follow different religious practices or come from a different background.

A Community Leader in attendance at the event, said: “It is important that children from different communities come together to understand different cultures and religious practices. The understanding allows for communities to get along, and football is a great tool for this. We appreciate all the work the Foundation does for us.”

A parent also in attendance, added: “It has been a fantastic day for the children, and they have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the football but also the fun workshops that were hosted with the coaches from the Leeds United Foundation. A big thank you to those who put the festival on for all of us.”