[Discover / Engage / Culture]
Behind the Festival
In 2024 we explored new beginnings and ideas that will lead to the future.
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[About]
salaam festival
It all began in 2020 in a small Manchester apartment on a sketch pad, followed by a series of artist and community led zoom meetings, workshops in schools and community and trialling live performances across Greater Manchester.
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01
Our Purpose and Goals
Salaam Festival invites artists and communities to preserve and produce original work to create a new vision and future for Islamic art and culture in Manchester and beyond. We aim to present work every year to make our work accessible to everyone and create positive pathways to understanding our faith and culture through art.
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02
Vision and Inspiration
To promote and preserve the rich heritage of Muslim art and culture, fostering understanding and appreciation among people of all backgrounds.
To showcase and celebrate the diverse forms of Muslim art, including calligraphy, geometric patterns, architecture, and visual arts.
To provide a platform for Muslim artists to exhibit their work and collaborate with other artists.
To organise educational programs and workshops that promote the understanding and appreciation of Muslim art and its cultural significance.
To engage with the community and promote intercultural dialogue through art exhibitions, festivals, and events.
To support and encourage emerging artists in the field of Muslim art through mentorship programs and grants.
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03
Our Values
2024 presented a humble sharing of work that complements the growing diversity of Manchester and invited artists to share their vision, ambition and creativity. This wasn’t about tokenism, but breaking barriers and stereotypes, and integrating Muslim communities into the fabric of the city and its cultural ecology.
Our work featured visual and performance art with artists contributing from diverse countries/cities such as Istanbul-Turkey, Georgia, Lahore-Pakistan, and Dioro-Mali. Manchester did not go unnoticed through local themes, artists and inspirations. The Festival invited people from all backgrounds to join the spirit of preserving, imagining and exploring the future.
We wanted everyone to feel special and connect with our new community of creativity and culture.
[Revolution]
The Future Is Here
Join and support us in exploring how the future of Islamic art and culture develops in Manchester and the World.
“Bringing together diverse artists creates an unparalleled experience for all attendees. We're proud of the collaborative environment we foster and the lasting connections we will make.”
Jane Smith
Rizwan Iqbal, Artistic Director
2020
Founded in Manchester
2021
Welcomed our first event
2022-24
Plan, Learn and revise
Key Features
Welcome
We invite people from all backgrounds and understandings to participate and attend.
Unique
We have worked closely with scholars, artists and community members to curate and produce relevant art and culture.
Space
We endeavour to host activities and performances in spaces that do not promote alcohol, and provide access to prayer and ablution facilities.
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