This section is no longer in use, please click on the links below to view news and sport from:
Female Muslim band to represent city
Feb 21 2006
This ground-breaking Muslim all-female band will represent Birmingham at an international festival in Edinburgh later this month.
The Ulfah Collective will represent the city at the third International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace as part of a programme designed to encourage spiritual and cultural exchange.
The group, which is made up of ten female members aged from 12 to 42, will perform a two-hour programme consisting of Nasheed Islamic songs, gospel music, rap and even a Japanese peace song.
They will sing songs in Urdu, Arabic and English in a concert entitled Journey to the Great Mosai on February 24 between 7pm and 9pm at Edinburgh's Augustine United Church.
"The Middle East Festival is committed to developing pioneering initiatives which celebrate diversity," said festival co-director Neill Walker. "We are therefore delighted to be supporting the Ulfah Collective."
Ulfah Arts Director Naz Koser said she hoped the group's success would encourage Muslim women to engage with the arts scene. "This is the only group of its kind which aims to cater to the needs of practising Muslim women and play an active role in creating Muslim art for the wider community."
Following the festival Ulfah Collective will tour major cities in the UK, returning to Birmingham on November 4.
