Colours of Eid 2023
Luton Town Centre awash with the Colours of Eid
British-Afgahn Journalist and influencer Ariana Abawe, founder of Ariana Magazine, hosted an Afghanistan cultural showcase as part of her work to preserve Afghan culture and promote women's rights in her community. The showcase featured traditional dresses by Mursal Boutique. The display of handmade pieces made by Afghan women in the UK was accompanied by a tractional Afghan 'Rubab' music performance.
The day also featured motivational talks from local community leaders and artists, all expressing messages of community and unity. St John's Ambulance volunteer, providing first aid support for the event, said,
"Today has been absolutely fantastic; I don't think I have seen so many happy people in Luton for so long."
The day's biggest highlight was the 'Act of Kindness Parade' led by Luton's Dohl drummers group, Dohls Royce, accompanied by 100 local people performing in colourful costumes, filling the town centre with colour.
The intergenerational parade featured 'The Aunties', women from the Muslim Women for Peace group driving Pakistani Truck Art inspired mobility scooters designed by Sarah and supported by Luton Shopmobility. Other costumes in the parade, also designed by Sarah, had featured earlier this year in the Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn's event 'Eid on the Square'.
The parade's youngest member Sahel Khizar was thrilled to be part of the parade; his mum said,
"Watching him walk through the town centre with such confidence made our hearts swell with pride. A big thank you to Alif New Beginnings for organising such a fab event.'
Saturday 8th July 2023, saw the second Colours of Eid festival at Market Hill, Luton. The cultural showcase of Islamic music, art and parade performance organised by local artist Sarah Salim, Director of Alif New Beginnings. Sarah has been producing Islamic art and events in the town since 2018 with the support of Luton Carnival hosts - UK Centre for Carnival Arts, and the Luton Muslim Women for Peace group.
Despite the stormy weather, the festival welcomed hundreds of people for a day of vibrant music, dance and storytelling. Highlights included UK-based Pakistani singer Fawad Ali's contemporary tracks and a live traditional Qawwal from the renowned Haji Ameer Khan Brothers Qawwali Group. The mix of traditional and contemporary music attracted all ages, creating a friendly family feeling to the town centre, with many non-Muslim community members joining in the fun and sampling the vibrant cultural showcases.
The Luton Turkish community were represented with the traditional dance Türkiye of the Turkish city Erzurum, performed by children from the Luton Turkish Education & Culture Trust. Internationally acclaimed Ahenkli Music invigorated the crowd with traditional Zaffa Drumming.
Artist and event host Sarah Salim said,
"What an amazing day; the support of the local community and volunteers humbles me. I am so proud to promote the beauty of my culture in such a positive way. Eid really does bring us together; Turkish, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Iraqi, and Afghan communities were all here celebrating.'
The National Lottery Community Fund and Arts Council England funded event supported by local partners and volunteers was a great success and Sarah is already making plans for its return in 2024.
