Foreword

Summary

Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Trustee of the British Muslim Heritage Centre and Founding Director of Miri Roshni

I have been eagerly awaiting this book. From initial discussions with author Dr Saskia Warren at various charity and arts events in Greater Manchester during the research, I knew that it would offer new understanding and perspectives on British Muslim women in the cultural and creative industries through asking: what limits participation and representation in these industries?

Dr Warren discusses how available data suggests Muslims are less likely to apply for higher or further education in creative arts and design, preferring more traditional vocational courses such as medicine and law. While Muslim women are more likely to obtain higher education degrees they are under-represented in the workplace and Muslim females aged 18–24 years are much more likely to be economically inactive in comparison to all females.

Equality is the common thread that runs through my work, all of which I am truly passionate about – a trustee of the British Muslim Heritage Centre, member of the Greater Manchester Race Equality Panel, Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester and founding director of Miri Roshni – a charity assisting vulnerable and destitute to achieve their full potential through education.

Of Welsh heritage, I have lived in Manchester for over thirty years following my marriage to Mohsin whose family were economic migrants to the UK from Pakistan arriving in the 1960s. I converted to Islam and I have been submersed in the south Asian community learning and experiencing much about the religion, culture, traditions and challenges facing this community.

In his last sermon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) clarified equal rights for all. ‘All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.’

Every individual has the fundamental right to be treated fairly without fear of discrimination based on gender, age, race, belief, sexuality or disability. Sadly, this right is not always realised and Muslim women in particular experience much discrimination.