Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation

Celebrating and Elevating Muslim Women Worldwide

Artists, Artisans, Mothers, Wives…from Arts and Crafts, to Fashion, Food and Lifestyle, join us to learn more about the roles of women in this rich culture.

Muslim Women’s Arts Festival 

JOIN US ONLINE AND LIVE IN 2025

We are delighted to offer you a feast of over 20 vibrant events (and over 85 in total with MACFEST), live and digital, celebrating Muslim Women in the creative industries from the North West and across the world!

An exciting opportunity for the whole family to explore creativity whilst guided by the expertise of Muslim female artists!
Nearly all of our events are free. Donations are welcomed.

Thank you for joining us!

Some of our upcoming Women’s Events

MACFEST Arts Awards 2025

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.  

An artists open call will be announced in March 2024 to submit an artwork under one of the following categories,  Calligraphy, Drawing, Painting and Photography. From this initial submission artworks will be selected and all Finalists will be featured in a curated exhibition at the University of Salford within the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology. 

The Award evening celebrates all the artworks submitted and will announce the winners of the 4 categories. The evening will be an opportunity to celebrate the talent across the 4 artforms.

A new initiative: muslim artists’ network!

We are delighted to announce a new initiative, providing a safe and supportive space to Muslim Artists to express their creativity and build meaningful connections, on a journey from emerging to established artists. 

a range of vibrant events

spread accross 9 mini FESTIVALS

The international feast of engaging and educational events in 2025 connects the viewers and participants to our hosts and artists in Afghanistan, UAE, Pakistan,  Kuwait, Morocco and the USA. 

Joining forces with Macfest, Manchester Histories Festival, Huddersfield Literature Festival, Manchester Lit and Phil Society, Creative Manchester and Health Inequalities research platforms at the University of Manchester, we promise a great diversity of speakers and artists, shedding more light on women’s experiences and contributions to culture, that often go unnoticed. 

YOUTH

FESTIVAL

MUSLIM WOMEN’S

ARTS FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL OF CALLIGRAPHY AND ARTS

RAMADAN AND EID

CELEBRATIONS

INTERNATIONAL

FESTIVAL

MUSEUMS

AND LIBRARIES

NORTH-WEST

FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL OF WORDS

AND BOOKS

OUR ENVIRONMENT,

OUR PLANET

OUR MISSION 

We aim to celebrate and elevate Muslim women, bringing Muslim and non- Muslim communities together, promote social inclusion and overcome barriers.

Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation and Festival will celebrate women’s contribution and roles they play in the diversity and the richness of Muslim heritage.

And just like in  our sister company MACFEST (Muslim Arts and Culture Festival) we aim to engage people of all ages and denominations, including school, college and university students and local communities.

Qaisra Shahraz MBE, JP, FRSA Founder and Executive Director of MACFEST and Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation and Festival

***2025 HERITAGE Tours: Oman, Cambridge and Albania! ***

Join us in 2025 as we take you on a journey around the 8 centuries of Islamic Heritage!

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST VIA: tours@macfest.org.uk

Explore The history, heritage, art, cuisine and culture of 

Islam around the world