MUSLIM ARTS AND CULTURE FESTIVAL
CELEBRATING ARTS, DIVERSITY AND CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
A ground-breaking, multi-award-winning annual six months Muslim Arts and Culture International Festival held in the North-West Venues and online.
Our mission: Celebrating arts, diversity, and connecting communities. We are proud to offer you again a hybrid programme with digital, and some live events – a rich feast of over 85 events every year across the North West and internationally online, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Muslim diaspora communities. In our first year we successfully hosted 50 MACFEST events in 9 days across the city of Manchester.
With 9 themed festivals within MACFEST, we are delighted to offer you an international art feast, with events hosted from Afghanistan, Kenya, Kuwait, Iraq, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Canada, Philippines and the USA. A very warm welcome to our new and existing colleges and schools partners and the British and international students taking part in MACFEST.
In partnership with the Whitworth Art Gallery, every year, we are celebrating our Opening Ceremony and Muslim Women’s Arts Festival, part of Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation, a sister company of MACFEST UK. This initiative celebrates Muslim women artists locally and internationally, with more than 20 events hosted in the North West, and globally from Afghanistan to the USA. This features over 75 creative women: poets, performers, writers, artists and culture champions.
Nearly all of our events are free. Donations are welcomed. Booking essential via Eventbrite.
Thank you for joining us! Enjoy!
Qaisra Shahraz MBE JP FRSA Founder, Executive Director and Producer of MACFEST and Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation and Festival
Muslim Arts Awards
MACFEST, Muslim Arts and Culture Festival, in partnership with the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology at The University of Salford have initiated a new Arts Award programme that celebrates and raises the visibility of Muslim artists through an exhibition and Award Ceremony.
MMMACFEST Muslim Arts Awards celebrate and empower the most outstanding Muslim practising artists nationally. The winner in each category is recognised at the Awards Ceremony Gal Dinner and all Finalists are featured in a curated exhibition at the University of Salford.
Muslim Diaspora Archives
Celebrating the lives of Britain’s first Muslim Migrants.
Founded by Qaisra Shahraz MBE, Muslim Diaspora Archives is a long-term heritage project dedicated to preserving and celebrating the lives of Britain’s Muslim diaspora in Manchester and the North West, with a special focus on first-generation migrants who arrived in the UK during the 1960s and 1970s.
The project highlights the contributions, struggles and achievements of Muslim pioneers, who helped build Britain’s social, cultural and economic fabric, and ensures these vital histories are accessible to future generations.
Heritage Tours
Explore the history, heritage, art, cuisine and culture of Islam around the world! MACFEST is dedicated to help you explore Islamic art and culture by showcasing the works of Muslim creatives around the world.
Now we invite you to join us as we take you on a journey of discovery that delves into both the hidden and known gems of the Islamic world through a series of artfully curated tours organised in partnership with Islamic Travels.
Register your interest via: tours@macfest.org.uk
Muslim Arts and Culture Festival (MACFEST) returns with first ever Muslim Arts Awards, vibrant events and Heritage Tours
MACFEST 2023: Celebrating Muslim Arts and Culture in the UK
MACFEST: 9 THEMED FESTIVALS – A FEST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
FESTIVAL OF WORDS AND BOOKS
RAMADAN AND EID CELEBRATIONS
FESTIVAL OF CALLIGRAPHY AND ARTS
OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR PLANET
INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL
YOUTH FESTIVAL
MUSLIM WOMEN’S
ARTS FESTIVAL
NATIONAL FESTIVAL
Our Mission
We aim to bring Muslim and non- Muslim communities together, promote social inclusion and overcome barriers.
Muslim Arts and Culture Festival will celebrate the diversity and richness of Muslim heritage. It will engage people of all ages and denominations, including school, college and university students and local communities.
Qaisra Shahraz MBA JP FRSA
Founder, Director & Curator of MACFEST and MWAFoundation