A major event held at the end of the month will examine how Muslim women in the UK are doing, and aim to equip media professionals to get ahead in the industry.

Titled ‘Cineforum on Muslim Women: Visibility and Leadership’, the one day event will showcase documentary films, hear from commentators from across the world, feature media industry trainers and debates on a range of issues.

Event director Jobeda Ali told AIM magazine: “We believe that Muslim women’s voices, once mainstreamed, have a particular capacity for creating deep and lasting social change. I came up with this event as an independent venture, just because of my own experiences as a Muslim woman trying to get ahead in a mainstream career.”

The event is being held as part of the London International Documentary Festival. It will be at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in central London.

Ms Ali added: “This event is not about talking about ‘Muslim women’s issues’, but about supporting Muslim women to excel as leaders in all aspects of society. The Cineforum celebrates Muslim women’s achievements in the mainstream – Muslim women are advancing in corporate, media and civic life and the Cineforum will support them with the tools and skills to go even further.”

She said the event will be about “identifying that ‘Big Sister’ who will mentor you”, open doors and coach other women.

It will feature speakers such as Carole Stone, ex-BBC producer and the firm Queen of Networking; Muddassar Ahmed, CEO of one of the UK’s leading Public Relations firm, Unitas Communications; Liz Hartford, a freelance executive producer for the BBC who will offer coaching on television pitching skills, among others.

Other speakers on the day include: filmmaker Ameena Ayub, singer Hiba al-Kawas, Sadiq Khan MP, PR manager Perveen Akhtar, barrister Rehna Azim, director Gini Reticker and many more.

To book and learn more: visit the Cineforum website.
AIM magazine is a partner at the event.