Celebrating and raising the visibility of the UK-based Muslim Artists
Celebrating Contemporary Islamic Art
Celebrating and raising the visibility of the UK-based Muslim Artists
Welcome to Muslim Arts Awards & Open Exhibition
.png/:/rs=w:1209,h:1209,cg:true,m/cr=w:1209,h:1209)
On Sunday 29th November 2026 at the Manchester Hall, MACFEST, an award winning Muslim Arts and Culture festival hosts the third Muslim Arts Awards Gala Dinner. Artists, partners, community organisations, sponsors, judges, and dignitaries will come together to celebrate showcase the exceptional artistic talent, creativity and dedication of the UK Muslim Creative Diaspora, united by this unique initiative.
The winners - the best artworks from four categories: painting, calligraphy, photography and drawing, will be showcased as finalists. The winners will be revealed during the ceremony and awarded each with a trophy.
In the Media:
Culture Calling: Celebration of the first UK Muslim Arts Awards
University of Salford: University of Salford celebrates the 2024 Muslim Arts Awards
Public Now: University of Salford celebrates the 2024 Muslim Arts Awards
Asian Leader, p.2: Celebration of the first UK Muslim Arts Awards
The Desi Buzz: First UK Muslim Arts Awards Celebrate Talent and Creativity
The Muslim News: Celebrating the inaugural UK Muslim Arts Awards
Open Exhibition Preview 19th Nov University of Salford
cc.png/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:1240,cg:true)
New Adelphi Theatre at the University of Salford
"It's such a pleasure to be working with MACFEST. Last year we were North West based open call for artists, but this year we extended out across the UK and we were really pleased to see that people took us up on this. Going around and seeing how people can express themselves emotionally through art is really good and very evident in some of the work that came in. We had well over 100 entries coming through and we went from a digital submission process to opening up to probably about half of those to see the work in person. And the final submissions, about 30 pieces, were selected for the show at New Adelphi, a wide range of artists from across all ages and from drawing, photography, calligraphy and painting. The artworks have been well received and as a University, we're really proud to be able to host it and shall continue doing so and shall get roped into more things in the future. That was a big piece of work to do and we're really pleased to be here."
Sam Ingleson, Associate Dean; Enterprise & Engagement, School of Arts, Media & Creative Technology at University of Salford.
"
"It's such a pleasure to be working with MACFEST on the Arts Award. This year we extended our Open Call for artwork out across the whole of the UK and we were really pleased to see that people responded to this. Seeing how people can express themselves emotionally through their art is evident in the work that came in. Around 30 pieces, were selected for the show at New Adelphi, featuring a wide range of artists, both formally and self-taught, across the age spectrum. With work featured across drawing, photography, calligraphy and painting. The exhibition has been well received and as a University, we are proud to be able to host it and will continue doing so. ”
2025, Sam Ingleson, Academic Director of Place Based Impact, Faculty of Social Science, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy (SHAPE), University of Salford
"Salford University hosted a stunning Islamic arts exhibition as part of the MACFEST Arts Awards, showcasing intricate designs and rich cultural heritage. Well done to all the artists it was a truly inspiring celebration of creativity and tradition!"
Talat-Farooq Awan BBC Senior Journalist, Producer & Present
JUDGES
SAM INGLESON - Chair
Sam Ingleson is an Academic Director of Place Based Impact, Faculty of Social Science, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy (SHAPE), University of Salford.
Sam Ingleson has worked at The University since 2000. As a Senior Lecturer in Fine Art, Sam established one of the first socially engaged Arts Practice MA programmes in the UK, and her current post Sam is responsible for the development of external partnerships between the university and cultural and creative industries to establish new research and civic activity. She is a strong advocate for the role of the arts in placemaking and community cohesion and is keen to enable lesser heard voices to get involved.
MIRAGE ISLAM
Mirage Islam is a Digital Strategy Consultant and Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing at Salford Business School.
Formerly the Chair of Learning and Innovation at the British Interactive Media Association (BIMA), Mirage launched a Digital Skills and Knowledge programme for UK schools in partnership with Microsoft and Sky in 2007.
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, invited for his contributions to the Marketing and Communications industry, Mirage is committed to nurturing future talent. He translates the evolving digital communications landscape, consumer behaviour, and organizational impact to ensure organizational effectiveness. Additionally, he serves as a judge on several digital awards bodies.
In his spare time, Mirage mentors young people from diverse communities and supports charities to enhance their digital capabilities.
More information - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirageislam/
SAMIR MALIK
Trained in Classical Arabic Calligraphy in Damascus University in Syria, Samir has been producing Islamic Art as well as holding exhibitions and workshops since over two decades at prominent Galleries and Universities globally.
As an Artist, Calligrapher & Graphic Designer he has been commissioned by and worked with international organisations and corporations as well with Embassies, galleries and private clients and businesses across the world including Royalty. His art composes part of the UK National Collection.
He is acknowledged as one of the pioneers of the revival and reinvention of Islamic Calligraphy in the west, and his art, designs and photography have been featured on the web, in periodicals and books along with frequent appearances in television.
LORD RICHARD-FOU’AD MACLEOD
Lord Richard MacLeod is a British-Lebanese artist, calligrapher, architect, and entrepreneur renowned for pioneering the first Arabic-British Blackletter script in history. With a background in law, research, business consultancy, and design, he has over two decades of experience in UK business establishment, branding, and policy development.
His work explores the intricate relationship between art, faith, architecture, and identity, seamlessly bridging Eastern and Western aesthetics through calligraphy and design. Through exhibitions, lectures, and community initiatives, he champions Arabic calligraphy and Islamic art while fostering British-Islamic intercultural dialogue.
Richard is the founder of several successful ventures, including the Islamic Sharia Council – Northern Britain, Yasmina Café, and the Lord MacLeod Art Gallery in Newcastle—the first Islamic Art Gallery in the North, providing a platform for cultural exchange and artistic expression. He has authored three books, including two Arabic poetry collections, further showcasing his passion for language, culture, and artistic storytelling.
As a MACFEST Awards Judge, Lord MacLeod is deeply committed to celebrating div
PAUL VIVIAN
Paul Vivian is Director of Art and Design within the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology at the University of Salford. A UK based artist Paul studied at Norwich School of Art and Design and Chelsea College of Art and Design his most recent research is focuses on Neolithic Stone Circle structures. Visiting sites across the UK and Europe Vivian makes unique field recordings capturing their internal audio resonance of individual stones . He specifically employs a form of Archaeoacoustics that has not previously been widely investigated.
Paul is a recent winner in the Global Shorts 2024 film competition with his work Avebury Sanctuary Complex (2024) and had previously won the Wells Contemporary Art Prize in 2016. Paul has exhibited and presented projects internationally and recently presented papers at symposiums and conferences on his work capturing the Neolithic sonorous at Tate Liverpool in 2023 and Manchester Metropolitan University stone circle research group and University for the Creative Arts in 2024.
QAISRA SHAHRAZ MBE FRSA
Qaisra Shahraz MBE JP FRSA is a critically-acclaimed novelist, educationist, and a prize-winning gender and peace activist. She is the founder and executive director of MACFEST, Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation, MACFEST Heritage Tours and Muslim Arts Awards. She has judged on many writing competitions including for The Writer’s Guild of Great Britain for ‘Best First Novel’ Category. Qaisra is devoted to the celebration of arts, Muslim Heritage, and showcasing the work Muslim artists and creatives. She is a patron of Manchester Lit and Phil Society and Former Director of Gatehouse Books. She has won several prestigious awards for her multiple careers and achievements. These include National Diversity Lifetime Achiever Award (2016), University of Salford's 'Alumni Achievement Award (2018), MBE for ‘Services to Gender Equality and Cultural Learning’ (2020), Manchester People's Culture Award (2023), in 2024 was recognised as 1 of '100 Northerners' by Embryo and in 2026 Qaisra won The Women’s Award Outstanding Woman in the Arts, Media and Music 2026 National Award.
SIDDIQA JUMA
.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:76.13%25,h:100%25/rs=w:388,h:291.72932330827064,cg:true)
Guided by the Qur’an and Islamic tradition, Siddiqa Juma creates art that celebrates a rich religious and cultural heritage.
OUR PARTNERS & SPONSORS
JOIN INTERNATIONAL MUSLIM ARTISTS' NETWORK
Personalized service tailored to your unique needs.
We are delighted to introduce a Muslim Artists’ Network to all our Muslim Artists!
Membership is free and open to all Muslim Artists worldwide.
Join via the Muslim Women's Arts Foundation website or click here.
We have a dedicated Whatsapp Group.
Join us on zoom for our next Creative Forum with Samir Malik, Artist and Calligrapher, register on Eventbrite.
