Race, Faith and Community in Contemporary Britain Essays on Black, African, and African Caribbean Muslims in the UK PROUDLY MUSLIM & BLACK REPORT 2022

Though I do not subscribe to a broad universal construct of “Black Muslims” – nor is there a
monolithic ‘Black Culture’, we have to respect the diversity that exists all over the Muslim world
and it is not only the skin colour that factors in this diversity.
The African Salamat Festival 2019 was an example of highlighting the diversity of ‘Black’
cultures on a public stage. At the festival we saw mainly Muslims of African origin performing
traditional dance and folklore, a wedding ceremony, Sufi drumming, poetry, art, visual artifacts
as well as the variations of traditional Muslim clothing. Each nation showcasing their own.
This was an important public event because it not only gave non-Africans the opportunity to
learn and discover more about the ‘dark continent’ but even the British Africans themselves
to learn about other regions. One of the attendees, former North Kensington MP Emma Dent
Coad, sent out a tweet in which she wrote: “Over 1000 visitors from Somalia Sudan and
Eritrea….Music Singing and Dancing….Just Heaven.” 2
There were numerous positive outcomes of the Afro-Salamat Festival. First, African Muslims
were at the forefront of the event from start to finish. Secondly, African history and culture
was seen in a positive light. The objective was to inculcate a mutual respect for diversity.
Further, the Council recognised the contribution of the Muslim community. It also brought out
commonality between Muslim cultures and communities. It was a multi-generational gathering
as there were children as young as 5 years old and adults as mature as 60+ and all in between
in the same place, all enjoying themselves.
Of course, it does not have to be one month. It could be anytime of the year but because Black
history month is now a part of the UK calendar, as such there should be collaboration on the
part of Muslims to participate and contribute as best as we can. I am confident that if all those
concerned make a concentrated effort, we can successfully achieve our ultimate goal of a
multi-cultural diverse Muslim community in reality and not just lip service.
It was well received and well attended by the local community of Kensington and Chelsea and
there have been calls to see this repeated. It was an educational event as well as entertaining.
The purpose behind the event was to counter the negative stereotype around Muslims and
African people in general.
This festival was important for another reason. It not only makes prominent Black and African
cultures, but brings out the diversity of Black Muslim communities, and served as an example
of how race, faith and culture are intertwined. There were some who objected to Black Africa
being the central theme of the festival. The criticism was directed at the festival despite the
fact that throughout the year events and festivals are held that highlight culture, art, and
heritage from all over the Muslim world.
ABDEL KARIM ‘MANNI’ IBRAHIM
Organizer
Abdel Karim ‘Manni’ Ibrahim has several years’ experience as a Primary School Teacher Mentor for
Young people Youth Family and Community engagement. He has worked for a number of Local
Authorities across London as well as Community groups Organisations and Charities.
He has a passion for facilitating motivational as well as educational workshops/conferences/speeches
covering a variety of contemporary issues in regards to young people’s family’s interfaith groups and
Afro-Heritage History and Culture. His main ethos is to promote and facilitate Community cohesion
through dialogue engagement and knowledge.
He is the principle organiser of annual The Salamat Festival (a showcase of Afro-Islamic Culture/
Folklore/Tradition) one of his proudest achievements to date.
Afro Salamat Festival 2019, Ladbroke Grove
2
Coad, Emma Dent. [@emmadentcoad]. (2019, 20 July). Oops All Saints! [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/
emmadentcoad/status/1152642500445855744?s=20
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