Maslaha seeks to empower disadvantaged communities to overcome social inequalities through education and inspiration. Through bringing together diverse voices in creative and dynamic ways, Maslaha works with these communities to demand and pursue positive change.
The scope of our work is broad and dynamic, and we want to involve YOU.
Some current project highlights:
- Dynamic health resources which address health inequalities in Muslim communities by providing information in a way that resonates with every day life and thinking
- Working closely with teachers and schools to provide curriculum resources showing the contribution of Islam and Muslims to many subjects
- I Can Be She - a pioneering project which seeks to empower Muslim women and change the ways in which society perceives them
- Exciting exhibitions built in partnership with the British Council as part of its Our Shared Europe programme - Evliya Celebi: Book of Travels and The City Speaks
Maslaha’s vision: Everything connects
We’re all about opening channels of communication to get information out in accessible and understandable ways to the people. We combine creative technology (such as film, animation, music and a strong online presence) with everyday action and engagement, finding new ways to connect and communicate.
We believe access to knowledge is fundamental – without it we cannot learn, improve our lives, or understand the lives of others. We use this approach to work towards addressing inequalities in health and education, and to enable a wide range of stories to be told – of everyday life, of extraordinary people, and of historical figures and places.
Maslaha started as a Young Foundation project and continues its strong tradition of social innovation – combining creativity and entrepreneurship to tackle major social needs. Our ideas are fuelled by our wide range of skills, and are backed up by the intellectual rigour and expertise provided by our network of advisors, supporters and friends.
Our Mission
We are working to:
- Empower Muslim communities by raising the profile and amplifying a range of diverse voices; facilitating relations between users and service providers and decision makers; and through workshops and projects with young people
- Address social disadvantage and inequalities in health, education and other sectors by producing dynamic resources which educate, inspire, and have a resonance with their target audience
- Challenge misconceptions and prejudice about what it means to be Muslim: We use a range of media to break down barriers and enable inspiring stories to be told. These are stories of everyday life, extraordinary people, and shared history. By opening up spaces to ask questions and challenge perceptions, we hope to increase understanding of Islam and its contribution to society in a broader context.
Maslaha: The website
Our website opens up a space to ask questions and share knowledge, as well as addressing significant social issues by working closely with communities and public services in areas such as health and education.
- Islamic Answers section provides somewhere to look up answers to questions raised by the Muslim community on issues related to daily life, with the help of leading scholars and academics. This section deals with some of the issues that have come up in conversations with young people, and continues to grow to cover more topics
- Untold Islam explores the trade in ideas, inventions and innovations across geographic boundaries and demonstrates the role Islam and Muslims have played in all areas of society including science and the arts, featuring essays, slide shows, and films
- Stories and Voices is an exciting interactive space which provides a fascinating window into life in Britain today. Watch our latest films which cover subjects such as Islam and science, and what Islam means to you. This section also includes interviews with prominent Muslim figures, podcasts of lectures and speeches, and encourages interested groups and individuals to contact Maslaha if they would like to contribute.
Maslaha: In practice
Our projects bring together a wide range of voices, showing the rich diversity and heritage of Islam - across generations, sectors, professions and cultures.
Our projects seek:
- To produce authoritative and creative resources with doctors, nurses, teachers, youth workers and other public service providers to help improve their services for Muslim communities in areas such as education and healthcare
- To provide practical information about Islam around everyday issues affecting Muslim communities in the UK
For more information on our practical work, visit What's Happening.
