Scottish actor and youth worker Atta Yaqub highlights how one beneficiary Glasgow Ansar, works in the community.

Atta Yaqub said football can bring people together

We all have a place in Scotland and the right to make the best of our lives where we live.

I am Scottish but I am also extremely proud of my Asian background and heritage.

For me personally, I think there's real richness - life is better with variety, learning new things, sharing traditions and experiences.

No-one wants to live in a place where they might experience racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism or sectarianism.

And young people growing up in Glasgow deserve to have a chance to be what they want, to achieve what they want to be, regardless of their background, race or faith.

We know at Glasgow Ansar that people can understand and appreciate differences and commonalities when people come together.

'Strong hopes'

Based in the south side of Glasgow, we work with many organisations to provide advice, access to information, health education and sporting opportunities to young people.

No-one has to accept racism or prejudice - not in the playground, not in the classroom, not in the office and not on the pitch

We have seen just how much, through sport, young people can grow in confidence, in their aspirations and just how much they can truly value their lives and have strong hopes for the future.

Social skills, tolerance, equality, may sound like abstract, aloof buzz words but what could be more important than those growing up getting along together, making friends, treating people with respect and receiving respect back?

Healthy living and recreational activity can be a great force against the evils of drug abuse and petty crime which pervade youth culture.

I've seen the big difference made by social and sporting events such as football tournaments and summer holiday programmes in bringing children and young people together from Glasgow's ethnic minorities communities.

Indeed, football can be a great leveller and form a real bond between people.

Though fans can be passionate about their teams, there are basic emotions which bind all players and fans.

'Make a difference'

We all share a common understanding: the thrill of the ball hitting the back of the net, the debate about offside, the ref's dodgy call.

Glasgow Ansar will bring faiths together at Hampden Park

That's why I think the new project we're setting up with Glasgow Maccabi and Belshill Athletic FC is so exciting.

Using the support and facilities of the sports medicine centre at Scotland's National Stadium Hampden Park, we'll be bringing together more young people from Islamic, Jewish, Catholic and Protestant faiths.

This football-based fitness and training programme will benefit from the expertise and personal insight of religious leaders, campaigns such as Show Racism the Red Card and Nil by Mouth.

I can't wait for it to get started and for the kids to go to Hampden and learn together and it will be great to communicate some of the messages we see from the authorities and professional footballers now so clearly speaking out against racism.

I know that one project or one organisation alone does not change attitudes overnight but I also know that it is right that so many people are working together to tackle racism and prejudice and we can make a difference.