Hands On: Salaam for Schools

The Salaam for Schools project, led by Rizwan Iqbal and delivered by Salaam Festival CIC, is using Islamic art to foster understanding, creativity, and a sense of belonging among students in the UK. Supported by The Barakat Trust’s Hands-on Islamic Art Grant, the project introduces Islamic art and architectural heritage into the curriculum of Star Academies’ schools in Manchester, engaging approximately 300 students aged 11–14, alongside teachers, parents, and the wider community.

Through workshops, classes, and creative sessions led by artists, educators, and scholars, students explore the rich artistic heritage of the Islamic world. They learn how art has shaped Muslim culture, history, and daily life, and how it connects with subjects like art, design, mathematics, and religious studies. The project works directly with important but often underappreciated UK-based collections, including those held by the Victoria & Albert Museum and local institutions in Greater Manchester.

By enabling students to engage with Islamic art both academically and practically—through sketching, creating their own projects, and visiting museums—Salaam for Schools helps young people connect personal identity with shared heritage. The project also contributes to public engagement, with plans for exhibitions at the schools and potentially at the Whitworth Art Gallery or other local venues, opening the conversation to the wider community.

Crucially, this initiative supports young British Muslims in navigating their dual identity, using heritage as a bridge between personal history and contemporary multicultural Britain. It also promotes the UK’s Islamic art collections to new audiences, strengthening links between schools and museums. The Barakat Trust’s support enables this model to serve as an example of how Islamic heritage can enrich education and cultural life across the UK.