MEHFIL: A Celebration of Muslim Artists in East London

MEHFIL: A Celebration of Muslim Artists in East London

Join us for an evening of poetry, music, spoken word and performance, championing the work of local Muslim artists, hosted by Maryam Shaharuddin.

Henna artist Nuz Fatima from Huq That will be running a pop-up henna stall and Island Vibes Kitchen will be serving from their all-halal menu.

The night will provide the opportunity to connect with other creatives.

PERFORMANCES BY:
Amal Khalidi
Storytelling meets spoken word in "Song For My Father" and "One of the Boys", stories looking at new beginnings and struggles for identity in a snapshot of life.

Saher Shah
If you had one chance to speak to your younger self, what would you say? “You’ll be fine” is a love letter to those who have ever thought about that. A journey through spoken word of one British South Asian Woman’s reflection on life and its many lessons. 

Talhah Mohammed
Talhah’s performance is a recitation of three poems: “Jerusalem”, “On Faiths Wings” and “A Ballad for the Beloved, the Moon”


Maya Pindar and Rosalind Burkett-Wenham, Co-Chairs of Closing the Gap, said “We are thrilled that Closing The Gap are co-producing MEHFIL with the Royalty Scheme, an evening that will champion Muslim-identifying artists within our much-loved East London neighbourhood. We invite you to join us in connecting, spiritually and artistically, with these rich voices from across the diaspora.

At Stratford East, we are committed to embedding a sense of belonging and representation at the heart of what we do."

Maryam Shaharuddin
A youth & community facilitator, Maryam co-creates theatre with participants in the UK and Malaysia. She has delivered workshops & performances at Angel Shed, Almeida, Kiln, PositivelyUK, Coney, Bush, Company Three and the UNHCR. She is currently a visiting lecturer in applied theatre at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. Most recently, she assistant directed the Offie-award-winning play Daytime Deewane which toured the UK. Joy and play are at the heart of her practice in creating inclusive, socially engaged theatre. Maryam is especially passionate about making work that celebrates and elevates Muslim Women. 

Amal Khalidi
Amal Khalidi is a poet, musician, and storyteller born and raised in London. They look at the experience of being part of the North African diaspora, the cultural fluidity of London, and attempts to understand the absolute silliness of the everyday. 

Saher Shah
Saher is an Actor, Writer & Poet from London working in Theatre, TV & Film. She focuses her work around strong female leads, and stories from British South Asian & Muslim perspectives. She is currently part of the MFest and Soho writers labs, and is a current Rifco Associate. Her ACE-funded debut play “Vitamin D” went on tour in March, had sold-out shows in London and Manchester, and has been nominated for a Standing Ovation Award by London Pub Theatres following a five-star review. 

Tallhah Mohammed 
Talhah Mohammed is a Medical Student at King’s College London who has recently taken to poetry. His interests include religion, spirituality, reading and sports.

More Information

When? Wed 26 Mar, from 7pm
Where? Stratford East Bar
Tickets? Free to attend, no booking required

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