Exploring the Future of Islamic Art and Culture
Salaam Festival brings local, national and international artists of diverse backgrounds and art forms to produce innovative work in Manchester and beyond.
Welcome to Salaam Festival
A pioneering festival exploring the future of Islamic art and culture. We bring together local, national and international artists from diverse backgrounds to create original work in Manchester and beyond.
With our deep understanding of both traditional and contemporary Muslim artforms, we offer a unique platform that celebrates the rich tapestry of Islamic heritage while embracing bold new expressions-beyond colour, creed or interpretation.
Despite the turbulent times across the globe we hope to share words and performances that respectfully grieve, heal and raise our hopes through inspiring artists and the power of community-beyond, colour, creed or interpretation.
To book tickets follow the link or email boxoffice@contactmcr.com
Programme
Screen Printing
Discover screen printing with Salaam Festival.
Transform your own tote bag or bring a spare t-shirt and experiment styles. This a print workshop guided by Rayhaana Ouadi. Whether you are a complete beginner or a creative looking to learn new skills we have something for you.
Tote bag and ink materials are provided.
Limited numbers of tote bags available, so once they’re gone - they’re gone.
Date: Sat 01 Nov 11am, each hour
Tote bag included in ticket price
Venue: Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6JA
Songs of the Sufi
In an unbroken chain spanning over 800 years, a form of music has inspired, entranced & enlightened people. Songs of the Sufi takes viewers on a musical and artistic journey that catalogues traditional “Qawwali”, the mystical music tradition of the Indian Subcontinent associated with 13th-century Sufi seminaries, which is enjoyed globally today.
The story is told from the lens of two families—A Qawwali lover who grew up with Qawwali around him, his mother a Sufi disciple who reminisces about her listening experiences as a teenager in India; and Qawwali singers who have been paying homage to this genre for 25 generations.
Live performances of various Qawwalis, the use of secret syllables and odes written in the 13th century blend with modern Qawwalis to create a meditative visual and listening experience. Dr. Katherine Schofield, a renowned musicologist shares her scholarly insights. The film explores the history, culture, etiquette, and the universal message of love that Qawwali embodies. Q&A will follow with the film producer Kamran Anwar.
Date: Sat 01 Nov 3pm (Running time 60 mins)
Venue: Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6JA
Dhikr
Join us for the opening of the festival through a heartfelt evening of remembrance through rhythms.
This unique evening brings together classical traditions of qira'at/recitation, poetry, Turkish instrumentals and classical music with contemporary influences. This immersive performance will feature powerful visuals transporting audiences to an unforgettable experience that deeply resonates within the soul.
In collaboration with Salaam Festival, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London will also present a special section of Turkish Sufi music piece, bringing together the profound sounds of the ney (reed flute) and tanbur, two instruments central to the Ottoman–Turkish spiritual tradition. This performance draws on centuries of devotional practice within the Sufi orders, where music has long served as a vessel for remembrance (dhikr), contemplation, and inner peace. With its meditative melodies and deeply moving character, the concert invites audiences into an atmosphere of reflection echoing the timeless heritage of mysticism and offering a moment of solace.
Experience the spiritual and human connection as we welcome Hāmza Bouzhār, Maryām alSäeīd, Muhammed Recai Çiftci, Mehmet Zahit Şerefoğlu and headliner Büşra Kayıkçı. We promise an evening to inspire us through the passion of their voices and melodies to open, reflect and remember.
Date: Sat 01 Nov 7pm (Running time 150 mins)
Doors open 6:30PM
Venue: Contact Theatre. Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6JA
Boiling Point
Amerah Saleh will host a specially curated conversation with guest artist, creatives and audience members at ‘the kitchen table.’
“It’s not a panel, it’s a gathering.”
Each guest arrives with something to drink or share be that tea, juice, coffee, biscuits, a piece of who they are. Around a table set with these offerings, conversation unfolds on the state of our world: its fractures, its politics, its possibilities.
With the kettle boiling and the table filling, truths are spoken as they are at home, honestly, sometimes heatedly, sometimes tender. By the end, the table opens out, and you may find yourself becoming part of the live conversation. You go from audience to panel member.
Amerah Saleh is a spoken word artist born and bred from Birmingham. Her Muslim Yemeni roots give her space to get lost and found on multiple occasions between identity. She is the Co-Founder of Verve Poetry Press. Amerah has performed all around Europe and has released her first collection called ‘I Am Not From Here’ in April 2018. Her work touches on identity, womanhood, religion and the obscure idea of belonging only to one place.
Date: Sat 01 Nov, 1pm (Running time 60mins)
Venue: Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6JA
Büşra Kayıkçı
We are delighted to announce the powerful and talented Büşra Kayıkçı will headline the festival this year.
Playing for the first time in Manchester this outstanding interdisciplinary artist seeks to forge a unique voice at the intersection of music, space, and visuals. Since her debut recording, 'Eskizler' (2019), she has consistently sought to expand her sonic palette, further developing her sound in the album 'Places' (2024) and most recently in the EP project 'Weaving' (2025).
Born and raised in Istanbul, the composer and pianist Büşra Kayıkçı has an artistic foundation deeply rooted in a diverse range of disciplines. While devoted to piano since the age of nine, she also pursued ballet and attended art school on the weekends, fostering a multifaceted creative sensibility. Her academic background in interior architecture and environmental design at university further informs her unique approach to music, where structure and fluidity intertwine.
Date: Sat 01 Nov, 8pm (Running time 60 mins) Doors open 6:30PM
Venue: Contact Theatre. Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6JA
Mosaic Coasters
Discover mosaic-making with Salaam Festival.
Rayhaana Ouadi returns to run a workshop on how to personalise your own coffee coasters with Arabic text or mosaics. This is a hands on creative workshop to use colour, texture, mosaics and text to create unique pieces of art for your cup of chai, sitting in the office or the comfort of your home.
Coaster and mosaic materials are provided.
Date: Sun 02 Nov, 11am, each hour
One Night In Al-Aqsa
Abrar Hussain's One Night in Al-Aqsa touched the hearts of Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and gives us all a new look at Masjid al-Aqsa.
One Night in Al-Aqsa is a documentary that offers a unique perspective on the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam. Set on Laylatul Qadr (the "Night of Power"), the film explores the compound's profound spiritual history and modern-day life through the eyes of those who live and work there. The documentary features aerial footage and intimate scenes of worshippers, showcasing the spiritual fervor of the night alongside the challenges faced by Palestinians due to the Israeli occupation.
Abrar Hussain is a British-Muslim filmmaker, writer, producer and director. He was raised in London, UK and studied at Kingston University. Hussain started his career as a Series Producer at Islam Channel, Hussain directed and produced the popular returning TV shows Model Mosque (2007) and Faith Off (2008). Hussain presented the final of Model Mosque at the Global Peace and Unity (GPU) event in 2007, in-front of a live audience of 30,000 people. Hussain produced and directed a 2nd show for the Islam Channel titled "Faith Off". This was a game show format where contestants from different religious backgrounds would compete for prizes. The Guardian newspaper called it "Britain's first interfaith game show". Both Model Mosque and Faith Off were positively received by the mainstream media, with BBC One, The Guardian, and ABC News Australia, reporting positively on the show. Between the years 2010 and 2014, Hussain produced a number of international documentaries for a host of UK charities such as ActionAid International and Islamic Relief. Hussain travelled to over 30 countries during this period including Lebanon, Mali, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Date: Sun 02 Nov, 3pm
Venue: Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6JA
Düā
Palestinian artist Reem Anbar and Pakistan’s Imran Rahat Ali Khan will close the festival for a specially curated and unique evening.
Reem Anbar begins the evening with rhythms and chords that whisper desires of hope for those who seek freedom.
This performance connects us with the past, present and future hopes through the Oud, tabla and songs of poetry-whispering praise. Exceptional voices and devotional echoes recall the illustrious predecessor Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who made Qawwali known to the world. Imran Rahat Ali Khan and his party take us on a painful journey of migration, the music weaving ancient poetry and intense rhythms with complex melodies to invoke a deeply-moving spiritual atmosphere.
Date: Sun 02 Nov, 7pm (Running time 150 mins)
Doors open 6:30PM
Venue: Contact Theatre. Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6JA
Creating Cultural Impact
Salaam Festival weaves together artistic excellence, community engagement, and educational outreach to create meaningful cultural experiences. Through our three key initiatives, we're fostering understanding, promoting diversity, and building a more connected society.
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