Sustainable Communities

**SD Projects Idea-Sharing Forum: Women, Heritage, and Community Growth**

SD Projects invites you to an engaging and insightful idea-sharing forum on 16 May, focusing on Islamic architecture, community identity, and the evolving spatial and cultural needs of growing Islamic communities.

Dr Omniya Abdel Barr, an esteemed architect, researcher, and programme lead at the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation, known internationally for her significant contributions with institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and the Barakat Trust, will provide a fascinating exploration into the often-underappreciated roles women have played in shaping mosques and Islamic institutions in Mamluk-era Cairo. Dr Abdel Barr will discuss how mosque craftsmanship was traditionally a communal effort, underscoring the critical involvement of women as patrons, innovators, and leaders within historical urban development contexts.

Joining Dr Abdel Barr is Shahed Saleem, a respected architect, author, and Reader in Architecture at the University of Westminster. Saleem’s extensive work addresses the intersections between faith, architecture, migration, and identity in the UK. He will present a broader history of mosques in Britain, offering insights into how Islamic religious architecture has evolved across the UK and how it reflects wider patterns of migration, settlement, and community life. Shahed will also reflect on his long-standing collaboration with Folkestone Mosque, which began in 2016 alongside artists Wong Hoy Cheong and Simon Davenport. Their work includes the installation *Minaret* during the Folkestone Triennial 2017, which marked the first time the mosque opened to the public. This was followed by *NŪR*, a major site-specific installation and exhibition in 2021, co-created with the mosque community. These projects developed through workshops, oral history collection, and public engagement, and explored the possibility of reimagining and expanding the mosque building as a response to both its spatial limitations and the community’s evolving needs.

Representatives Shahin Chowdury and Faruk Miah from the Folkestone Mosque will contribute by sharing the remarkable history of their community's establishment and growth—from its humble beginnings in the 1970s to becoming an essential spiritual and cultural hub. They will describe how the mosque has transformed from its origins as Bradstone Mill into the vibrant centre it is today, emphasising their successful collaborations with Hoy Cheong Wong, Shahed Saleem and SD Projects, reflecting on the pressing challenge of accommodating a rapidly growing and diverse congregation within limited physical space.

Jonathan Watkins, former Director of Birmingham's renowned Ikon Gallery and a prominent figure in contemporary art curation, will offer a compelling presentation on the works of Farwa Moledina, an acclaimed British Muslim artist known for her deeply resonant and thought-provoking textile installations. Watkins worked closely with Farwa in Birmingham during her student years, providing essential mentorship that contributed significantly to her artistic development. He will discuss Farwa’s significant contributions to contemporary conversations around Islamic identity, heritage, and representation, offering personal insights from their early collaboration at Ikon Gallery. This summer, in collaboration with SD Projects, Farwa Moledina will undertake a major new commission engaging closely with East Kent’s Islamic community.

The forum aims to critically engage with key questions around community identity and growth. As Islamic communities like Folkestone's expand beyond the physical limitations of their current spaces, there emerges a crucial conversation about how communities establish themselves, evolve, and sustain their identities and practices over generations. This event seeks to explore innovative approaches to architectural and community planning that can effectively address these changing needs.

Chairing the seminar is Professor Cat Rossi, a distinguished design historian and Professor of Architecture at the University for the Creative Arts. Rossi brings her expertise in the social and cultural dimensions of architecture and design to facilitate a dynamic and inclusive dialogue among practitioners, researchers, and community stakeholders.

Join us for this enriching forum, where we will explore historical contexts, contemporary artistic expressions, and real-world community development challenges. Together, we will consider how Islamic communities can effectively adapt and grow, building environments that reflect evolving needs, honour heritage, and support inclusive community development.