We are delighted that five Withington pupils in Years 11 and 12 are participating in the Muslim Arts and Cultures Festival in celebration of Muslim heritage, culture and language. The pupils are taking part in two panels: ‘Celebrating Poetry and International Mother Language Day’ on Thursday 24^th February at 6-7.30pm and ‘Youth: Celebrating Cultural Heritage’ on Sunday 27^th February at 2-3.30pm.

They will present alongside other guest speakers including Miss Choudhury, one of Withington’s English teachers, who will host the ‘Celebrating Poetry and International Mother Language Day’ panel. Zainab in Year 11 will discuss Indian Urdu Literature on this panel and Saleha and Mahnoor, Year 11, and Zahra and Fatimah, Year 12, will present on Pakistani architecture with international guests from Saudi Arabia, India and USA.

This is a truly fantastic opportunity for our pupils to not only celebrate their Muslim heritage but to complement their learning and contribute towards their personal development in the areas of public speaking, partnership and collaboration.

As part of the Muslim Arts and Cultures Festival (MACFest) and our Feel Fab Feb initiative, Withington will also host a special culture day, celebrating the different cultures and traditions and the diversity of our pupils. Activities will include a ‘round the world’ tasting menu, an assembly performance of dance, music and drama, ‘express through dress’ and specially themed lessons. We look forward to welcoming members of the MACFest team into school, in addition to the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mrs Diane Hawkins.

The festival launched on Saturday 5^th February 2022 and offers a hybrid of virtual and in-person events to celebrate art, literature, music, history, culture, cuisine, children, youth and women and the heritage of Muslim communities. MACFestUK is an award-winning festival hosted across Greater Manchester and the North West. Events are free and many are hosted by schools and colleges.

You can view the full programme of events here.