Everyday Muslim’s third annual symposium: An Exploration of Black Muslims in British History and Heritage took place at Richmix Venue 2, in London on Saturday 18th March 2017. The aim of the symposium was to explore the constructions of Black Muslim identity and heritage in the UK and how the stories of Black British Muslims intersect within the wider British Muslim society and beyond.
We brought together those working in academia, heritage, arts and media organisations to interrogate the changing ways in which every day Black Muslim life has been represented in British history. Collectively, we sought to identify how the process of constructing a Black Muslim heritage has changed over the years and what forms that they might take in the future.
You are now able to share the day of presentations, spoken word and discussion as we begin to consider the views and debates around the representation of Black Muslims in British History and Heritage.
Welcome Note | Black Muslims in British History & Heritage
Tanya Muneera Williams introduces the third annual Everyday Muslim Symposium.
Michael Mumisa –The Importance of an Inclusive Archive
Phd Candidate and Cambridge Special Livignstone Scholar at Trinity Hall, Univeristy of Cambridge Michael Mumisa highlights the importance of why an inclusive Muslim archive matters and the lessons that can be learnt from Islam’s past.
Martin Spafford – Q&A Session
Martin Spafford, co-author of the new OCR Migration unit and retired history teacher answers questions from the audience.
Imruh Bakari – Africa in the Atlantic Triangle: Narratives, Archives and Identity
Film maker and writer Imruh Bakari explores the history and heritage of Black Muslims and its impact on identity.
AbdulMaalik Tailor – Developing a Black Muslim Tour of London
Tour guide, AbdulMaalik Tailor makes the case for extending learning about history and heritage outside of the classroom and explores the stages of creating a Black Muslim history tour.
Panel Discussion: Documenting History
Chaired by Tanya Muneera Williams, the panel explore the different mediums of representing black Muslim heritage. The panel include: AbdulMaalik Tailor from Muslim History Tours, presenter and fashion stylist Basma Khalifa, television presenter and host of Africa This Week Adama Munu and film maker and writer Imruh Bakari.
Sarah Garrod – Archives and the Value of Community Engagement
Archivist at the George Padmore Institute, Sarah Garrod talks about the institute, its importance as a space as an archive and educational resource and research centre housing material relating to the black community of Caribbean, African and Asian descent in Britain and continental Europe. She also highlights the importance and value of community engagement in preserving heritage and history.
Jean Campbell, Kinsi Abdulleh and Abiel Tekeste Hagos – Rio Café, the Harlem of London
Numbi Arts members, Jean Campbell, Kinsi Abdulleh and Abiel Tekeste Hagos relay the history of the Somali community in London’s East End and reflect on past projects.
Abira Hussein – Healing through Archives
Archivist, Abira Hussein, reflects on the Healing through Archives project which looked at identity and a sense of belonging and its impact on health and well being among the Somali community in London.
Hannah Abdule –The Invisible Black Muslimah
Teacher, Hannah Abdule, introduces her research on the experience of Black Muslims, with a focus on women and explores the intersections of religion, gender and race.
Panel 2: Sharing our stories
Chaired by poet Mumtaza Mehri, the discussion explores personal experiences of faith, building and maintaining a community and refection of being black Muslims within the wider Muslim and social community. The panel includes cultural producer and facilitator Tanya Muneera Williams, community youth consultant Ismael Lea South, educational practitioner and facilitator Rakin Fetuga, teacher Hannah Abdule, author Habeeb Akande,professional palliative carer Henna Al-Rashid and author and community activist Amal Douglas
Wasi Daniju | re:present – Portraits of Black Muslim Women
Photographer, Wasi Daniju, explains what motivated her to produce theseries of photographs.
Open Mic session
Members of the audience share their spoken word and poetry.
