Salam Scotland Festival

 
The programme for Scotland's first Muslim culture festival has been set out.Entitled Salaam Scotland, it will feature events around film, theatre, comedy, literature, artefacts and music.
 
The Book Fair taking place on Saturday 27th March at St John's Church will include authors Shaykh Mohammed Akram Nadwi, Shelina Zahra Janmohammed, Robin Yassin-kassab and Sadia Sheikh.
 
The festival organisers, the Scottish-Islamic Foundation, said that the events will tackle Islamophobia, encourage more Muslims to participate in the arts, and help promote Scotland in the Muslim world.
 
Partners include the British Council, the National Theatre of Scotland, and the Edinburgh Inter Faith Association.
 
Commenting, festival director Umar Malik said:
 
"By presenting a side to Islam and Muslims that people do not normally appreciate, we aim to celebrate the vibrancy of these artforms and also provide a much needed opportunity for debate, dialogue, and dispelling of myths and misconceptions.
 
"Often Muslims themselves are not engaging in these genres, and in future years we want to see far more Scottish artists, authors and performers on the billing. We hope this first year will inspire the creative juices.
 
"Internationally, there are not many events like Salaam Scotland. It is a unique undertaking which we hope will put Scotland on the map in the Muslim world, both now and in years to come.
 
"The festival is being run by volunteers and it literally wouldn’t be happening without them. I'd like to express my deep gratitude to them and to our partners in this endeavour."

Find out more about the Salam Scotland Festival of Muslim Life and Culture by visiting their website http://www.salaamscotland.org/