Amal

Amal Amal is now closed, and the account is no longer monitored. www.amal.org.uk We exist to help shift the narrative to one that is confident, diverse and just.

Amal works to tackle a root cause of the discrimination that adversely affects the lives of all Muslims in the UK – a dominant narrative which is negative, stereotyping and monolithic. We challenge the narrative by supporting Muslims to unleash their creative potential, a potential too vast for any single organisation to unlock. We therefore do so by facilitating three sets of stakeholders – Musli

m communities, artists, and mainly mainstream arts and cultural organisations – to work more closely together to grow opportunities for Muslims to fully express and realise their potential and to share and celebrate creativity with others.

As Amal nears closure, we are sharing with you our last post, and urge you all to keep working to change the negative na...
11/09/2024

As Amal nears closure, we are sharing with you our last post, and urge you all to keep working to change the negative narrative around Muslims in the UK. That need, which has driven all Amal’s work, is more urgent than ever.

Please also watch this film showcasing some of our work and the remarkable people behind it, illustrating the impact Amal has made and why it’s important for others to carry it forward.

Click here to walk the film: https://amal.org.uk/news/amals-impact-video/

"I was like a scrunched-up leaf when I walked in here yesterday. I now feel I have opened up.” These words from a partic...
01/08/2024

"I was like a scrunched-up leaf when I walked in here yesterday. I now feel I have opened up.” These words from a participant at one of Amal’s workshops perfectly illustrate the transformative power of creative opportunities. Catherine Roe, Amal's CEO, begins her article for the Muslim Charities Forum’s ‘The Forum’ with this powerful testimony.

Catherine is featured in the latest issue, titled "Inspiring Stories, The Blessings of the Sisters", which celebrates the vital role of women in the British Muslim charity sector and promotes dialogue on empowering them. In the article, Catherine discusses Amal’s mission to unlock the creative potential of British Muslims to help change the negative narrative around them.

Read the full article - get your copy here: https://bit.ly/4cgIq36

Muslim Charities Forum featured Catherine Roe, Amal's CEO, in their 6th issue of The Forum titled "Inspired Stories, The...
24/07/2024

Muslim Charities Forum featured Catherine Roe, Amal's CEO, in their 6th issue of The Forum titled "Inspired Stories, The Blessings of the Sisters." This issue explores the importance of women in the British Muslim charity sector. It says: "Women contribute in many ways to our thriving, diverse sector, and it is important that we celebrate this and open discussions on how to better empower them. This issue seeks to do this by sharing perspectives from a range of women in our sector and allowing us to learn from them."

Catherine discusses Amal’s impact and its mission to unleash the vast creative potential of British Muslims, enhancing individual wellbeing while also pursuing a society-wide purpose. Read full interview - get your copy: https://www.muslimcharitiesforum.org.uk/resources/the-forum-06-inspiring-stories-the-blessings-of-the-sisters/

24/06/2024

"This is my first time singing like this, and it makes me feel happy," said a participant from The Nasheed Choir, a project co-created with boys in Bradford as part of the Amal Connects programme. The project received amazing feedback for giving young Muslims an opportunity to develop a unique form of music that blends their Muslim, British and South Asian heritages.

The UK's first polyphonic Nasheed Choir empowered young Muslims by nurturing their creativity and allowing them to express their diverse backgrounds. Led by renowned Nasheed artist Hussnain Hanif, 25 boys aged 6 to 16, with no prior musical experience, came together to learn the arts of performance and singing. They built their skills and confidence week by week, mastering Nasheeds using South Asian melodies and singing them in traditional British three-part harmony.

Their hard work culminated in a performance at Bradford Cathedral where they demonstrated how exciting it can be to embrace all these identities simultaneously. It was captured in a video which now includes reactions from parents.

Click here to learn more about The Nasheed Choir: https://amal.org.uk/news/the-bradford-nasheed-choir/

Video credit: Pishdaad Moderassi

22/03/2024

WomenZone supports women in the heart of one of Bradford’s most deprived areas. It joined forces with Amal with the Kahaani project to give its service users the opportunity to engage in creative activities.

In the safe, welcoming and familiar space of WomenZone’s centre, a group of women came together to participate in workshops led by director Alex Chisholm and writer facilitator Kauser Mukhtar. They shared experiences from their lives and transformed them into stories, poems, drawings and films which they performed and displayed at sharings, including at Bradford arts venue Kala Sangam.

For participants, this was their first foray into such creative activity since childhood and they found the experience of sharing their stories healing, cathartic and supportive, building their confidence and their connections as a community. For WomenZone, the project strengthened its capacity to design and deliver arts projects for Muslim communities with Muslim artists.

Click here to learn more about the Kahaani project: https://amal.org.uk/kahaani/

Video credit: Keyhan Moderassi

Explore the culmination of Our Stories Through Nakshi Kantha project on March 6th in Birmingham. Join us in celebrating ...
29/02/2024

Explore the culmination of Our Stories Through Nakshi Kantha project on March 6th in Birmingham. Join us in celebrating the final pieces crafted by participants, in partnership with New Hope Global l and talented artists Fateha Begum, Haseebah Ali, and Abeda Begum.

Through drama techniques and Nakshi Kantha embroidery, we've woven the tales of women's journeys from Bangladesh to Birmingham. Witness their migration narratives stitched into a sari, and more, adding layers of storytelling and design to this centuries-old art form.

Please book your place in advance - contact: [email protected].

Learn more about the exhibition here: https://bit.ly/49xawq9

01/02/2024

Soap Box was one of the co-created projects of our Amal Connects programme. Stand & Be Counted - SBC Theatre worked mainly with Muslim people seeking sanctuary (including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants) in Bradford.

Through arts and culture, the project supported participants in overcoming isolation, hostility and stress. Providing a platform for creativity, the project empowered participants to make their voices heard, celebrating each culture. This initiative shifts expectations and challenges stereotypes, promoting a more inclusive narrative.

Click here to learn more: https://amal.org.uk/news/soap-box/

Video credit: Ai Narapol

26/01/2024

"While I was in my village I used to practice sewing. In Bangladesh mothers and sisters used to make the frames and hang them in the house."

Meet Rahena Begum, in the second video of our Stitching Stories series, as she reflects on her stitching journey in her home country before coming to the UK and joining our co-created project "Stories Through Nokshi Kantha" with New Hope Global.

Learn more about the project here: https://bit.ly/48rGzHx

This project received generous support from Relief UK

With the support of Amal and partner Victoria Park Productions, local photographer Maryam Wahid and poet Shreen Mahmood ...
17/01/2024

With the support of Amal and partner Victoria Park Productions, local photographer Maryam Wahid and poet Shreen Mahmood joined forces to capture the vibrant essence of Small Heath's community. Participants of all ages co-created, weaving captivating images and powerful narratives that spotlight the rich cultural heritage of Small Heath, a Muslim majority area in Birmingham.

The project helped overcome the widespread belief that the arts are for 'others', not for them and made Small Heath's residents feel part of the city's vibrant arts community, building confidence in taking part in arts activities by seeing themselves represented.

Click here to learn more about the project: https://bit.ly/3Smzdzu

09/01/2024

In the first video of the Stitching Stories, we explore the remarkable journey of Rabia Choudhury, a participant in our co-created project: "Stories Through Nokshi Kantha" with New Hope Global.

Rabia shares her experience, emphasising the importance of holding on to her Bangladesh heritage through the art of stitching and storytelling.

Learn more about the project here: https://bit.ly/48rGzHx

This project received generous support from Islamic Relief UK.

Address

Moseley Exchange, 149-153 Alcester Road
Birmingham
B138JP

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Amal posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Amal:

Shortcuts

Share

Category