Two pioneering women finished running their first parenting course on Thursday from a mosque in Plaistow.

Newham Recorder: A group of muslim women received certificates after completing the first Nurturing course by Rukhshanda Asif and Amtul Gazala to improve their confidence as parents.A group of muslim women received certificates after completing the first Nurturing course by Rukhshanda Asif and Amtul Gazala to improve their confidence as parents. (Image: Archant)

Rukhshanda Asif and Amtul Gazala trained themselves with local charity Family Links and worked with the UK Islamic Mission to teach other women at the Masjid Ibrahim and Islamic Centre in Barking Road how to improve communication in their families, how to instil positive discipline, and how to boost their self-esteem – and that of their children.

A total of 10 women completed the 10-week Nurturing programme, said to be the first grassroots course of its kind in London.

Cllr Rohima Rahman, representing the Green Street East ward, attended a graduation ceremony to present certificates to women who completed their courses.

Co-organiser Rukhshanda said: “It was a great success and I think the women all found it really useful.”

She added: “It would be nice to run more courses in the future as I think it really helped to get people talking about family issues and listening to others’ ideas about nurturing in the home.”