Assalam walaikum (peace be upon you)
Formed in September 2007 and launched in Luton,the CMN was a ultimately a pilot vision. The aim was to fill what seemed like a void in creativity and Islam for the local muslim children and also use this as a building block to strengthen and increase community engagement in Luton.
A major objective was to encourage and deliver exciting creative opportunities annually for the local school children which interlink, celebrate and promote the understanding of the two auspicious muslim festivals 'Eid Ul Fitar 'and 'Eid Ul Adha' and share this amongst the wider community.
- Encouraging and engaging muslim children to have the confidence to think creatively to take pride in their Muslim British/Luton Identity and increase participation in art and writing competitions.
'For example the 'Faith card competition', 'Peace postcard petition' & 'Create a Luton character for 'Zahra series' written by Sufiya Ahmed..
- Making muslim children socially and creatively visible: for example:
'Shining Ummah'-Muslim children performing at' One world one week', Songs for Haiti -concert.
- To Showcase the CMN competition art work produced by the local muslim and non muslim children in public spaces To be a networking site and portal for awareness of whats happening creatively nationally,and to encourage greater participation
- Encouraging , motivating and engaging interfaith dialogue with Lutons faith groups and strengthening community co-hesion through the medium of creativity In the town .
- Empowering faith based charities and small community voluntary organisation and schools to think creatively.
- Celebrating Luton and placing it on the Map!!
Today the CMN boasts award winning status. A self funded charity network that has grown with confidence down to the love and support of local community.The Creative Muslim network also support young People from the ages of 16 to 25 and women as part of its:
- 'B-involved B-ProActive'- interfaith community volunteering programme
- 'Creative ( fair trade) coffee mornings' for Muslim and women of different faiths
- 'Shining ummah'-young muslim performing arts workshop and childrens wear.
The Creative muslim network also offers the following service:
- Interfaith art consultancy.
- School interfaith art workshops.
- Creative writing workshops.
- Muslim storytelling @ Libraries/ Radio broadcasting..
- Community Mentoring
- Creative careers consultations.
