Through the Paul Hamlyn Community Project, Bradford Literature Festival engaged with young Muslim men, a group who are often overlooked. Even though Bradford is officially the youngest city in the UK, young Muslim men feel disengaged and disenfranchised. Rates of suicide have increased in this group during COVID-19. With cuts to youth services resulting in the closure of youth centres, BLF recognise the need to reach out to this group and provide them with opportunities for self-expression, creativity and engagement.  

In partnership with St. Mary Magdalene Community Church, a youth community space in Manningham, BLF conducted a consultation with young Muslim men to better understand their needs and interests. Through this consultation, BLF identified a desire among the group for self-expression through music and lyrics, specifically through the process of ‘spitting bars,’ which involves reciting poetry to a beat.  

In response, BLF organised a workshop with musicians and hip-hop artists, Inder Goldfinger and Silverfinger, who were selected by the young people themselves. The workshop focused on breaking down the process of rhythm building, and helping participants to develop improvisational and performance skills. This culminated in a freestyling session where the participants had the opportunity to perform their improvised pieces.  

Following this workshop, St. Mary Magdalene Community Church organised a group outing to BLF’s flagship comedy evening, accompanying 40 young men to the event. The evening’s host, Tez Ilyas, a British Muslim stand-up comedian, inspired the young men and many of them waited afterwards by the stage door to meet him. For most, it was their first time attending a live comedy event, and the vast majority had never been inside St. George’s Hall, a prominent local cultural venue. 

The impact of this initiative was significant. The young men were able to engage in creative activities that really resonated with them. It validated their passions, elevated and recognised them as having wider cultural importance and enabled them to develop new creative skills and the confidence to use them. They were also able to attend a cultural event that they may not have otherwise had access to, broadening their horizons and providing a new experience.  

In addition, BLF was able to forge a partnership with the St. Mary Magdalene Community Church, creating a new relationship that allows for ongoing engagement with the community. This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration and consultation in building meaningful connections with hard-to-reach communities. It also highlights the importance of providing accessible opportunities for self-expression and creativity, and recognising this as the springboard for deeper cultural engagement. 

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