Muslims are all too often depicted in the media in negative and 2 dimensional ways. The aim of Muslim Cultures week is to provide an antidote to all the misinformation about Islam and Muslims and to foster a greater understanding and awareness by showcasing the rich diversity of Muslim cultures globally, and that Muslim people are much more than just their religion. Beyond their religion, people from Muslim countries have rich cultures, both Islamic and secular, with a long history of arts, music, cuisine, architecture, engineering, science and medicine.

 Moreover, people from Muslim countries have long and ancient histories that extend long before Islam.



 It is a little appreciated fact that all the places on earth where civilization started are all now countries where Islam is the national religions: Egypt (ie ancient Egypt and the ancient civilizations of the River Nile from 3500BC) Palestine (eg the civilizations that built the walls of Jericho dated at 10000BC), Present day Iraq and present day Iran (eg Mesopotamia including the ancient civilizations of Babylon and those of the River Euphrates and Tigris from approx. 5000BC ) and Present day Pakistan ( eg 9000 year old Mehrgarh, and the Indus Valley civilizations of the Indus River which runs through the middle of Pakistan – including Mohenjodaro 2500BC, Taxila and Harrappan civilization from 7000BC - all of which are in present day Pakistan.

The people of those countries have rich Islam cultures, and a rich history that predates Islam. All of which blend together in today’s Muslim societies.

To put the above dates in context, ancient Greece which is revered in euro-centric versions of history as the pinnacle of ancient European history is dated at just 700-480BC.

If you're interested in addressing the negative representation of Muslims in the media, get in touch at info@mifta.org