Muslim Women's Arts Foundation
Empowering Muslim women through art and creativity
Muslim Women's Arts Foundation
Empowering Muslim women through art and creativity
Celebrating and Elevating Muslim Women Worldwide
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Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation
Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation is a space dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and amplifying the creative voices of Muslim women around the world. We champion artistic expression in all its forms, from visual arts and literature to music, film, and performance, providing a platform where stories, heritage, and talent are shared and honoured. Rooted in empowerment and inclusivity, our mission is to inspire connection, challenge stereotypes, and nurture a vibrant community where Muslim women artists can thrive and lead the cultural conversation.
Muslim Women’s Arts Festival
The Muslim Women’s Arts Festival is a prestigious initiative that celebrates the outstanding achievements and creativity of Muslim artists across a wide range of disciplines, including visual arts, literature, music, film, performance, and digital media. The Festival aims to recognize both emerging and established talent, highlighting the richness and diversity of Muslim artistic expression locally and globally. By honouring innovation, cultural heritage, and artistic excellence, the Muslim Women’s Arts Festival not only spotlight individual accomplishments but also foster greater understanding and appreciation of Muslim contributions to the global arts landscape.
Empowering Muslim women through art and creativity
Arts & Culture
Our Artists
Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation is proud to unveil the Festival — a ground-breaking celebration of the creativity, heritage, and cultural contributions of Muslim women artists. This vibrant festival shines a spotlight on the diverse voices and talents of Muslim women across the globe, showcasing their work in visual arts, poetry, music, fashion, storytelling, film, and more. Here are some of our artists, performers and workshop leaders:
Zareena Bano
Mandala & Mosaic Art, Tote Bags Workshops
Khadija Kemlaoui
Henna Body Painting
Aysha Yilmaz
Silk Painting Workshops
Farzana Patel
Calligraphy Workshops
Rabia Avci
Marble Art Workshops
Parvin Emampour
Card Making Workshops
Filiz Ozum
Dancer & Choreographer
Our Culture Champions
Exploring cultural hub presentations from around the world, curated by our local Muslim women: Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation together with MACFEST are dedicated to celebrating the richness and diversity of Islamic heritage from across the globe. Through art, literature, music, film, and dialogue, it brings together voices and traditions that reflect the many cultures shaped by Islam—from the Middle East and Africa to Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Hanane El Hadioui, representing Morocco
Director at Heart & Parcel, Photographer, Youth Festival & Social Media Lead at MACFEST
Eda Gliga Baubec PhD, representing Romania
Community leader, trustee and elected council member for the Man Lit & Phil Society, NHS professional, and MACFEST Team Member
Winners of Muslim Arts Awards
At the heart of the festival is a commitment to cultural celebration and empowerment. Through exhibitions, performances, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, the Muslim Women’s Arts Festival highlights the rich traditions, contemporary expressions, and lived experiences of Muslim women. The festival aims to challenge stereotypes, foster intercultural understanding, and create an inclusive space where identity, heritage, and artistry intersect.
Asma Jadakara Desai
2025
Drawing Category winner for Khalil Jhayat Mosque (Kurdistan)
Iqra Saied
2025
Photography winner for UnFamiliar
Mahvish Javed
2024
Calligraphy winner for Ma sha Allah
Carol Souza
2024
Painting winner for Melika
Atefeh Seifi
2024
Painting winner for A copy of Hafiz
Shireen Malik
2024
Photography winner for Stillness within the Miners
The festival aims to challenge stereotypes, foster intercultural understanding, and create an inclusive space where identity, heritage, and artistry intersect. At its heart, Muslim Women’s Arts Festival is committed to inclusion, creativity, and community, providing a vibrant platform where people of all backgrounds can explore and appreciate Muslim arts and culture. A key pillar of the Foundation is the empowerment of women, championing female artists, leaders, and storytellers whose work inspires change and amplifies diverse perspectives. By highlighting both heritage and contemporary expression, we foster understanding, celebrate identity, and support the next generation of cultural voices. Through exhibitions, performances, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, the Muslim Women’s Arts Festival highlights the rich traditions, contemporary expressions, and lived experiences of Muslim women.
Muslim Artists' Network
A FREE Membership platform for artists to meet, network, and share experiences - Join us on Facebook
We are delighted to introduce a Muslim Artists’ Network to all our Muslim Artists!
We aim to provide a platform for artists to meet, network, and share experiences relating to art and creativity.
The Muslim Artists Network, founded by Qaisra Shahraz MBE JP FRSA, Founder of MACFEST (Muslim Arts and Culture Festival), is a vibrant initiative dedicated to celebrating and promoting the diverse talents of Muslim artists across the UK.
Established to provide a platform for creatives from Muslim backgrounds, the network fosters collaboration, visibility, and creates opportunities to showcase their work, connect with wider audiences, and challenge stereotypes through artistic expression.
As part of MACFEST’s broader mission to build bridges between communities through culture, the Muslim Artists Network plays a key role in nurturing emerging talent and enriching the multicultural fabric of contemporary art.
Don't Miss Out! - Our online meetup opportunity for Islamic artists across the UK and international
We will have regular online meet-ups between up-and-coming and budding artists along with established artists to share, discuss, ask questions and explore Islamic art and its methods, encompassing all disciplines within the Islamic Art remit.
There will be at least one established artist on each call.
The aim is to create a safe place to explore and discover, through sharing, interaction and conversation, the journey and methods of being an artist in the world today, to get and give support and to guide each other to hone our skills and improve our art as we share it with the world.
News & Media
News
MACFEST's Director won The Women’s Award Outstanding Woman in the Arts, Med
British Muslim Awards 2023 for the ‘Community Group of the Year Award
Oceanic Events
#spreadhoneynothate
ABOUT
Board of Directors
Meet our Directors and Advisors
Qaisra Shahraz
Founder, Curator and Executive Director of MACFEST, Muslim Arts and Culture Festival and Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation. She is a prize-winning and critically-acclaimed novelist, scriptwriter, peace and gender activist.
Andrew Taylor
Financial Advisor for MACFEST and Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation, Madisons Accountants.
Anne Isaac
With many years work experience in mental health, today Anne brings western and eastern values and influences together in card making and calligraphy.
Chris Sacarabany
Executive Director of Foundation For Foundation of the Ethnic Understanding, Advisor for MACFEST with 15 years of experience in intercultural and interfaith program management.
OUR PARTNERS
We are delighted to welcome our new partners to Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation and Festival from the Greater Manchester region including Stockport, Wigan, Warrington, Salford, Manchester, Rochdale, Bradford, Oldham, Bury, Bolton, Huddersfield, Rossendale, Trafford and Liverpool. To our partners and sponsors, old and new, thank you for helping us connect communities, build cultural bridges and promote harmony!
The Whitworth Art Gallery
MACFEST
Manchester Central Library
Longsight Library
The Lowry
Creative Manchester
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