Top 4: Muslim Arts and Cultural Festival (MacFest) events in Manchester

In November 2018, Manchester hosts first ever Muslim Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST) at venues across the city. Taking in best in Muslim art, music, food, and talks, Macfest is the brainchild of novelist and peace activist, Qaisra Shahraz. More than 50 events are part of the programme, with 30 or so entirely free. The aim is to showcase the diversity of Muslim culture – past and present – and to encourage Muslim and non-Muslim community members to explore the diverse aspects of Muslim culture together. A number of events take place at the impressive Victorian-era, Grade II listed British Muslim Heritage Society in Whalley Range, while Manchester Museum, the Whitworth and Elizabeth Gaskell House are also part of the programme. Tickets are available through Eventbrite and our top 4 picks are as follows:-

1. TALK: A Victorian Secret Muslim Revealed – by Christina and Stephen Longden
This talk by the great, great grandchildren of Robert ‘Reschild’ Stanley describes how the Mayor of Stalybridge (1874-76) became a secret muslim in the Victoria era and went on to support the first mosque in the UK which was in Liverpool.
Sat 17 Nov, The Marquee, British Muslim Heritage Centre, 100-106 College Road Manchester M16 8BP. Tel: 0161 764 6111, 1pm, £5, www.eventbrite.co.uk

2. TALK: Famous Muslim writers from India, Sudan, Egypt, Bengladesh, Pakistan, Turkey & Iran with Ajmal Masroor
Find our more about the work of Rosemarie Hudson, Tariq Mehmood and Pete Kalu at this relaxed and informative session.
Sat 17 Nov, Exhibition Room, British Muslim Heritage Centre, 100-106 College Road, Manchester M16 8BP Tel: 12.30pm, FREE, www.eventbrite.co.uk

3. EXHIBITION: Everyday life on the Curry Mile
A small group of photographers and artists working with the local community group, Ethnic Health Forum, have documented and recorded the everyday life in Rusholme using a variety of media.
Sun 18 Nov, British Muslim Heritage Centre, 100-106 College Road, Manchester M16 8BP, 11am, FREE, www.eventbrite.co.uk

4. MUSIC PERFORMANCE: Grand Finale Musical Extravaganza
Enjoy a musical extravaganza and performance with artists from different Muslim countries including showcases by singer Gulcin Bulut, skilled daf player, Masoud Ghasemi and other artists including Farshid Mahyari, Sufi Nasheed and Numan Azmi.
Sun 25 Nov, The Whitworth, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER. 2pm, £10, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Sat 17 – Sun 2 Nov, various venues, times & prices, www.macfest.org.uk