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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Army wants more Muslim recruits | Army wants more Muslim recruits |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Army is hosting its first recruitment drive solely for young British Muslims. | The Army is hosting its first recruitment drive solely for young British Muslims. |
| About 40 teenagers from Birmingham will be taught infantry skills and endure an army obstacle course. | About 40 teenagers from Birmingham will be taught infantry skills and endure an army obstacle course. |
| The forces are suffering a shortage of recruits and have been unable to attract many from the Muslim community. | The forces are suffering a shortage of recruits and have been unable to attract many from the Muslim community. |
| Those taking part in the event come from the same part of Birmingham as Jabron Hashmi, the only Muslim British soldier killed in Afghanistan. | Those taking part in the event come from the same part of Birmingham as Jabron Hashmi, the only Muslim British soldier killed in Afghanistan. |
| One of the teenagers visiting Gamecock Barracks in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, is Mansoor Clark, who said being involved in the initiative was about having fun. | |
| It's a good opportunity to develop skills that you already have Mansoor Clark, participant | |
| He said the armed forces offered a good career and he would have no problems being sent to places like Iraq or Afghanistan if he joined up. | |
| "The general idea is just to have some fun. | |
| "And I think the armed forces - if it's not even seen as a possible career path - it's a good opportunity to develop skills that you already have." | |
| A report on Friday from the National Audit Office said the UK armed forces were 5,170 troops under strength. | |
| The strain of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan at the same time was one reason for shortages, the report said. |