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 2025 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 provide a platform for artists to meet, network, and share experiences relating to art and creativity.
The Network’s official Launch is on 22nd February 2025 as part of the MAFEST 2025 Opening Ceremony at 11am at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester.
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