MFest Writers Lab

Zain received funding from Paul Hamlyn in 2020 for their Ideas and Pioneers fund.  The idea was to create a multi-medium writers lab for a cohort of Muslim writers.  Zain approached Maslaha as the core partner for the project who offered their staff time to support.  The writers lab developed into MFest Writers Lab after Maslaha’s takeover of MFest - a festival for Muslim creativity and knowledge.

Zain led on the curation and programming of MFest Writers Lab and formed partnerships with Soho Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, SelfMadeHero, We Are Bridge and Spread the Word.  The pilot programme featured 16 talented Muslim writers who spent 9 weeks covering everything from craft based tips on different writing mediums to meeting industry professionals including playwright, Iman Qureshi, author, Tice Can and writing agent, Rachel Taylor. 

The pilot programme has now developed into a continued programme of support currently being led by Maslaha and MFest.

You can read more about the artist development programme here.