Muslim Arts Awards: Announcing the Winners!
MUSLIM ARTS AWARDS EXHIBITION
MUSLIM ARTS AWARDS EXHIBITION PREVIEW
The Exhibition of selected artworks from the second round of Muslim Arts Awards took place at the New Adelphi Gallery at The University of Salford on 20th November 2025.
. The Private Viewing was the first chance to see the selected artworks and the winners in one of the following categories: Calligraphy: winner- Mohammad Popal for Divine Wind, Drawing: winner - Asma Jadakara Desai for Khalil Jhayat Mosque (Kurdistan) , Painting: winner - Mahmud Manning for Fitting the Phenomena: Jeddah Gateway, and Photography: winner - Iqra Saied for UnFamiliar.
"These awards are recognising what we have in common. We have a real desire to ensure that culture keeps us together. We may be multicultural, but at the end of the day we share something here. We share a love of art, we share a love of creativity that goes back centuries." Nazir Afzal, Chancellor of the University of Manchester, Chair of the Lowry, former Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England
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MANCHESTER PEOPLE'S CULTURE AWARD 2023
MACFEST's Director won Manchester People's Culture Award 2023!
We are delighted to announce, that Qaisra Shahraz MBE, our Director, a critically acclaimed novelist, culture champion, and award-
winning peace/gender activist won the Manchester Culture Award 2023 in the Category: "The Manchester People's Culture Award".
She was recognised for her initiatives, Muslim Women’s Arts Festival and MACFEST (Muslim Arts and Culture Festival), a ground-breaking festival that connects communities, tackles Islamophobia, and breaks down barriers. She is well known for her lifelong passion in championing and celebrating women, youth, community cohesion, & and building intercultural bridges through literature, arts and cultural heritage.
In the words of the host, 'This award recognized the work which showed dedication and contribution to creativity in Manchester and achievements taken place over several years.’
OUR MEDIA COVERAGE
Manchester World
Manchester World
Manchester World
Macfest: the massive Manchester-based festival using art and culture to tackle Islamophobia
Manchester World
Manchester World
Manchester World
What Manchester Means To Me: why author, educator and festival organiser Qaisra Shahraz loves the city
The Bolton News
Manchester World
The Bolton News
BOLTON is to play host to an event as part of the Muslim Art and Culture Festival
DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE: MACFEST wins The Queen's Award
We are delighted to announce that MACFEST is the winner of the 2021 Queen's Award for
Voluntary Service!
We have been chosen for connecting communities, promoting social inclusion and overcoming barriers. Thank you so much to all those who nominated us!
