Hi, my name is Shabnam,I am the chairperson for the Muslim Women's Association.Since moving to Leicester I have realised and met many women who came from a range of backgrounds,stretching from housewife's too professional who have no resources and/or representation in order for them to acknowledge and express themselves in Art and Cultural activities.
My first approach to this problem was to search for such a provision that currently existed in Leicester. I found this to be non existent and therefore feel that this is an area that must be given attention,in particular view of the current political situation which has damaging views and preconceptions of Muslim women.

The objectives of Muslim Women's Association are to promote a positive image of Muslim women through intercultural understanding and exchanges. To increase confidence of Muslim women in Leicester/leicestershire, to create awareness among Muslim women of their greater potential in all areas of mainstream society, to help and encourage the Muslim women to unite and organise so that their needs in self-help, self-confidence, self reliance and self respect as a community is enabled and enhanced, to ensure that the cultural, linguistic and social needs of Muslim women is taken into consideration where services delivery by statutory agencies is concerned, and to represent the interests of Muslim women in such instances, to act collectively to discuss, research into and help deal issues of concern faced by Muslim women wherever possible, to help other communities, Muslim Women Association will help whenever and wherever possible.