Muslim Sister Act Sings Out in Queen's Park

Britain's first Muslim female band is coming to BEDFORD on SATURDAY, 8th APRIL 2006. Birmingham-based Ulfah Collective will be singing at QUEEN'S PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE on MARLBOROUGH ROAD, starting promptly at
2 PM . THIS IS A WOMEN-ONLY EVENT , and TICKETS COST £1.00.

Childcare will be provided during the concert which will be followed by refreshments and activities.

Naz Koser, Director of Ulfah Arts, explains: "Having an all-female audience allows women to take part who would not normally have the chance due to faith or cultural beliefs.Women of all ages and backgrounds are welcome, and the atmosphere at our events is just pure harmony and unity. Stereotypes are broken down as women meet other women and see and learn about each other."

Covered from head to toe, the women of Ulfah Collective will be singing in Urdu, Arabic and English to the beat of the Duff (hand drum). Their songs include Islamic Nasheeds as well as songs with universal appeal.

The concert is sponsored by Fusion, a youth singing project run by All Saints Parish Church in Queen's Park. Music Leader Caro line Muzolf said, "I met Naz last year, and we're really excited about the concert. Music has a way of bringing people together, and we hope that this concert will open new avenues of cooperation and understanding in Queen's Park." Fusion receives financial support from the Bedford Charity and Queen's Park Urban Community Council.

Shaila Bibi of Bedford Sisters' Forum, a Muslim support group, has helped to organise the concert. She said, "This is a great opportunity, not just for Muslims in Bedford but for all women."

Karamat Hussain, a member of Fusion's Steering Committee, said, "Ulfah and Fusion are breaking new ground, and this concert shows how the faith communities in Queen's Park are working together in pioneering ways. I suspect the chip shop in Queen's Park will be full of blokes getting takeaways on the afternoon of 8 th April!"

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited Queen's Park three weeks ago to see firsthand how the faith communities are working together to improve the neighbourhood.

Rabbi Daniela Thau , Chairperson of Bedford Council of Faiths , commented: "We'll be publicising the concert through our networks, and I look forward to a great afternoon on 8 th April."

For further information, please contact Naz Koser (07861 385147; naz@ulfaharts.co.uk ).