Coventry comedian says he’ll join Muslim Hikers on next walk after abuse

COVENTRY comedian Guz Khan has thrown his support behind the Muslim Hikers after the group spoke out about ‘shocking’ abuse they received after appearing on an episode of the BBC’S Countryfile.

The group, founded by Coventry-based Haroon Mota, revealed on Twitter some of the abuse and racism towards the group posted on social media.

The group took part in an outdoor arts event on Scafell Pike in the Lake District, which saw more than 200 volunteers take part. Muslim Hikers joined hundreds of other walkers to take part in the filming of Green Space Dark Skies in September.

Coventry-born comedian Mr Khan, known for his appearances on Taskmaster, Live At The Apollo and for creating TV show Man Like Mobeen, tweeted: “I’m coming on the next trek Barry @Haroon_ Mota.” Mr Mota responded by saying: “Been waiting 20yrs years for you to tell me this!! I do hope you’re telling me the truth”.

Speaking about the abuse recieved, Haroon said: “It’s something we have had before in the past and its unfortunate that it’s happening again. The reason why we set up Muslim Hikers was so we can create a community where people feel safe, a community where people can thrive .... and hike confidently.

“It’s a shame that we receive abuse occasionally but this type of abuse only gives us the reasoning and the justifications for why we existed in the first place.”

Mr Mota started the group during the pandemic and has almost 24,000 Instagram followers and close to 19,000 followers on Twitter.

“Twenty years ago, when I started hiking, it seemed so strange that there was a lack of people looking like me,” Haroon told Countryfile. “People of colour, black people, ethnic minorities, we just didn’t see them in the outdoors.

“Over the years, as I built my passion for the outdoors, I felt like I wanted to do something to encourage more of our guys to get outside.”