A six month jamboree celebrating the Islamic heritage of Birmingham has officially launched. Salaam/23 Islamic Art and Culture Festival, the brainchild of producers behind the Birmingham 2022 Festival, will feature food, calligraphy, music, film, fashion and education workshops.
Local residents across Edgbaston, Small Heath and Birmingham City Centre can participate in what organisers call ‘dynamic vision between traditional and contemporary Islamic artforms’. The festival will also champion Islam internationally with homages to Africa, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Kashmir, Pakistan and Iraq.
One project includes Small Heath Voices, a photography and written word project for families and residents from the Kashmiri and BAME community in Small Heath/Yardley. Participants will learn photography skills and produce a portfolio that celebrates the cultural heritage of Small Heath.
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A sneak peek of the programme below:
Small Heath Voices, May-August 2023
A four month participatory photography project with a group of families and residents from underrepresented Kashmiri and BAME backgrounds.
Venue: Khidmat Community Centre, 2A Heather Road, Small Heath, Birmingham. Book here.
Qawali Fusion, July 2023
A modern fusion of Sufi Qawalis with classical and modern musicians, presented by Noreen Khan. Tickets on sale in June.
Salaam/23 Islamic Art and Culture Festival(Image: Victoria Park Producers)
Eastern Voices, August 2023
A collaboration with FILM/GAGE team presents a cinematic journey with Muslim filmmakers around the globe. Two week pop screenings around the city, tickets on sale in July.
A Taste of the East, August 2023
Baker Shabnum Khan hosts a series of cooking workshops for families and children, celebrating the best in Middle East and South Asian cuisine. Tickets on sale in August.
SOUK FASHION, September 2023
A flagship Muslim lifestyle fashion show with shopping stalls presented by Shreen Mahmood and others. Tickets available in September.
Festival producer Omar Hanif said: “Birmingham has such as rich Islamic history which adds to the city’s cultural heritage, I wanted to celebrate that. There will be four months of workshops including Small Heath Voices where locals can learn photography lessons and skills.
“We will also be coming to sites including Odeon, the MAC and schools across Birmingham. Young people from diverse backgrounds are not always represented and the Birmingham 2022 Festival inspired the idea that these groups need to be engaged.
“A key word to describe Islam is diverse as the Islamic empire stretched out from Spain to China consisting of different ethnic groups and races. There is a saying that you could write a cheque in Spain and cash it in China.
“We want to bring that history and inspire the next generation of Muslims.”
The festival is supported by Birmingham City Council, Muslims Connect, BFI, Kashmiri Arts and Heritage Foundation, Amal and Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.
Check out the official website for more details and the upcoming programme.
Follow our coverage of Birmingham’s Muslim population here
Nostalgic for last year’s Birmingham 2022 Festival? Recap our coverage here
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