Warwickshire unveil "ground-breaking" multifaith charter as Edgbaston changes are introduced

The Edgbaston club are one of the first UK sporting organisations in the country to make such a commitment through their new equality, diversity and inclusion programme

Cricket's commitment to inclusion has been extended by Warwickshire introducing the sport's first multifaith charter.

The reigning County Championship holders have pledged to engage with religions represented across the West Midlands.

Edgbaston will become more inclusive than ever, with several initiatives being announced to ensure the club is welcoming to all players, staff and visitors.

Confirmation of the scheme comes alongside Warwickshire's commitment to Nujum Sport's Muslim Athlete Charter, which helps clubs across sport create a framework to ensure they understand the needs of players and fans of faith.

Nujum Sports founder and chief executive Ebadur Rahman said: Warwickshire CCC is joining a positive movement of solidarity, equality, and recognition of the contribution Muslims make in their respective clubs and teams."

Amrick Singh Ubhi, who holds multiple positions including as vice-chair of Birmingham Faith Leader's Group, added: "This is a ground-breaking document that shows a true commitment to the faith communities of Birmingham and beyond that Edgbaston is for everyone.

^{Edgbaston is host to some of the biggest cricket events on the calendar (Stu Forster/Getty Images)}

"This pioneering charter can pave the way for other sports institutions and bodies to make also commit to embracing diversity and welcoming."

The charter was created in conjunction with representatives from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish and Sikh communities in the West Midlands.

In a statement, Warwickshire pledged to learn "the needs of different faiths" and ensure the club is "a safe, welcoming environment".

Members of the leadership team have begun visits to key religious centres within the West Midlands to learn about different religions.

To ensure Edgbaston - a regular home of England men's internationals, T20 Blast Finals Day, The Hundred and this summer the Commonwealth Games - embraces all attendees a number of initiatives will be introduced.

"Regardless of gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, social background, education or neural or physical ability, we must do more to make cricket the most inclusive sport of all."

They include an enhancement of the prayer room facilities, the family stand becoming alcohol-free, a more diverse range of food options and adoption of the Real Living Wage for employees.

Additionally, the Ramadan Cricket League will be repeated for 16-to-18-year-olds, introduced in partnership with Chance to Shine last year as a safe space for young Muslims from the local community after breaking their daily fast.

These plans all come under the Edgbaston for Everyone programme.

Stuart Cain, Warwickshire chief-executive, added: “Making sure that Edgbaston is a safe, welcoming environment for all and that players from all walks of life have the same chances to thrive and succeed has been our goal for several years, but recent events show that we haven’t gone far enough, fast enough.

^{The Ramadan Cricket League is due to return this year (Chance to Shine)}

"This must change and the initiatives launched today are the first small, granular steps in a journey that will probably never end.  We will always need to keep learning, adapting and changing.

"Ultimately, we want people to look back over six months, a year, two years and see that real progress has been made.  Whether that be in the development of local talent, opportunities for local people in the offices or the experience of those watching games.  

"Regardless of gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, social background, education or neural or physical ability, we must do more to make cricket the most inclusive sport of all."

This is English cricket's latest response to the experiences of racism and bullying suffered by Azeem Rafiq and others, which have surfaced in recent years.

Rafiq's testimony in front of a DCMS committee hearing and his witness statement as part of the employment tribunal with former county Yorkshire has sparked the sport into action on either side of the turn of 2022.

The England and Wales Cricket Board outlined its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion action plan last November while several first-class counties have introduced their own EDI regulations.