In a world of raging ideologies, cultural misapprehensions and seemingly endless warfare, The Pakistan Cultural Society’s (PCS) Muslim Arts Festival (MAF) has its heart set on promoting the uniqueness and diversity of Islamic culture. The festival aims to reveal the beauty of Islamic culture so that it can begin to build understanding and trust in the greater UK community.
To say that events such as this are vital in fostering cross-cultural respect and tolerance is perhaps one of the great understatements of the decade.
In January of this year, HRH The Prince of Wales launched the Festival of Muslim Culture (FMC) initiative to specifically champion understanding and appreciation of Islamic culture in the UK. At the Cardiff launch, Wales’s First Minister Rhodri Morgan said, “…there has never been a more important time to work together against intolerance and prejudice and to build on our tradition as a tolerant, multi-faith society.” And indeed, the FMC is being promoted as an opportunity to forge understanding at a time when relations between the UK and the Muslim world (including UK Muslims) are at a low point.
Bamboozled as we are by global politics and warmongering, it just may be that experiences of art, poetry and music can help us (as individuals at least) to enter into other peoples’ lives and realities. And perhaps more importantly, to share in human themes that connect us all. Whilst this may sound far-fetched or naïve, there is truth in it. There are countless stories in history of people from wildly differing cultures being able to cast aside their differences in order to share a common moment of humanity: Anyone who has read the epic of Gilgamesh, The Conference of the Birds or the sublime poetry of Rumie can attest to that.
The Festival of Muslim Cultures has been working with arts and educational institutions across the UK to promote what they call, “the mainstreaming of Muslim cultures within UK everyday life”. The Festival was created out of a need to foster a dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims (as a two-way process): And to explore how culture can create bridges for respect, trust and pride.
FMC aims to showcase the best of contemporary and historical Muslim arts in order to portray the diversity and plurality of Muslim culture. Over an eighteen-month period scheduled events include films, exhibitions, literature, the performing arts, seminars on contemporary issues, food, youth projects, fashion and music. In the current world climate it is more important than ever to encourage an exploration of “culture” in a wider sense and with the mandate to deconstruct stereotypes of the Arab/Muslim world. Just as not all Christians are god-crazed “born-agains,” equally so – very few Muslims are would-be terrorists and suicide bombers. As a charity the FMC’s role is non-political, non-sectarian and non-ideological.
The Festival’s Chair, Raficq Abdulla, said that, “…Instead of looking at each other through the prism of suspicion, contempt, hate and aggressive intent. We hope that the Festival will teach us to look at each other with intelligence and…(with)…the possibility of civilized discourse and engagement…it is equally important to show Muslims that the cultures that forms the basis…of their identity are multifarious and beautiful and challenging.”
This week, the closing events at the Muslim Arts Festival include two important cultural events; a concert by BJS Qawwal, a global fusion qawwali ensemble and Ajoka World Theatre’s “Bulha”. Below are some details:
Saturday 5th August 2006 at 4.30pm: BJS Qawwal Group
Free outdoor event: DLI Museum & Durham Art Gallery, Durham.
The BJS Qawwal collaborative group is a renowned exponent of traditional Qawwali that has its roots in Sufi mysticism. Qawwali originates from the word Qawl, meaning “expression” and uses the same intricate rhythmic cycles as Classical Indian Music. BJS Qawwali has maintained and championed the current trend of “fusion qawwali” which blends qawwal with pop, rock, hip hop and percussion.
Tuesday 8 August at 7.30pm: Ajoka World Theatre’s “Bulha”
Gosforth Civic Hall in Newcastle: Bookings: (0191) 2743030: Cost: £10
The performance is notable for its contemporary relevance. “BULHA” pays tribute to the great Sufi mystic Bulha who lived in turbulent times amid ideological chaos. Sound familiar? Bulha rejected dogma and social oppression and his was a voice for humanism, peace and love. His poetry is still performed and sung the world over.
Dedicated to encouraging the participation of the whole community, PCS project manager Munmun KC, said, “The festival aims to positively challenge images of Muslims in the UK,” by highlighting their culture in all its diversity and richness. The PCS has also sought to promote women artists with an Islamic background and to showcase their work to encourage the participation of Muslim women in the arts. PCS has aimed to stage a cultural “eye-opener” for Westerners by giving them the opportunity to participate in Islamic culture.
It certainly seems as if the current difficulties faced by both Muslims and Westerners may be eased by the efforts of individuals and organisations determined to disseminate knowledge, rather than propaganda and fear.
Education Islam for example, is an organisation that provides valuable knowledge about Muslim beliefs, customs and communities in the desire to promote cultural equality in the UK. Contributing to the demystification of Muslim culture by offering beginners courses to professionals (EI) is focused on eliminating fears and misconceptions about Islam. This is only one of many socially-orientated organisations that work to combat the “bad press” of the past two years, or should that read 2,000 years? Ironically, there have been many instances where Muslims, Christians and Jews have been able to live in harmony; but sadly, like small acts of kindness, they can easily go unnoticed.
Perhaps the last word must go to writer Nonie Dawish, who wrote a moving and enlightening letter to the Telegraph earlier this year;
“My father was killed…when I was eight years old…My siblings and I were asked…”Which one of you will avenge your father’s death by killing Jews?” We looked at each other speechless, unable to answer. In school in Gaza, I learned hate, vengeance and retaliation. Peace was never an option, as it was considered a sign of defeat and weakness…
Muslims need jobs – not jihad. What is needed is hope and not hate. Unless we recognise that the culture of hate is the true root of this … (then)…violent overreaction will only be the start of a clash of civilizations that the world cannot bear.”
Certainly it is social and cultural endeavours such as these that hold open the possibility of dialogue, the true apprehension of difference and the essential gestures of goodwill and hope. Power to anything that works to make a difference!
For further details please visit the following websites:
www.brain.net.pk/~designer/ajoka/theatre/theatre.html
