About us
London is a vibrant multicultural city, but many communities experience social apartheid. We decided to do something about that. We harness the power of the arts to bring people together. There are many communities in our city that find it difficult to meet people outside their own cultural boundaries, but the artists amongst them can help to bring us together around something positive and celebratory. Our activities are built on flexibility and are responsive to the artists within these groups because we work through relationships and build networks enabling marginalised communities to engage with others. We are innovative and educational because every time we are exposed to something excellent amongst ‘the other’, we learn something new about the neigbours we have never met. Citicare is both the introduction and the host!
We’re innovative and responsive
Our activities are designed through group consultation. Everyone has an opportunity to suggest something, especially young people.
Our Values
Our activities are driven by our artists, not committees, theories or external agendas. Artists know their fans. Creatives always look for innovative approaches to bring their work to discerning audiences. NJArts is a place where fusion pieces can be birthed and new musical works emerge
Our Activities
British Pakistani sufi-opera singer, Saira Peter is the current manager of NJArts. Professionally trained in both Western and Eastern classical music, she is a celebrity in the land of her birth and sings the theme song for HUM TV’s drama, Muamma, Listen HERE
Our Story
The NJArts centre was formally opened in East Lond by Sir Cliff Richard OBE. Founder Zafar Francis interviewed Sir Cliff before a mixed audience. The ceremony included young aspiring artists as well as well-known British and Asian celebrities. NJArts is committed to igniting young people with a love for music and the performing arts in their own communities and throughout this great city.
Current Projects:
1.Punjabi Songs for Everyone
In Citicare, we care for the most marginalised groups living in today’s complex urban environments. Punjabi Christians have asked for spiritual songs in the heart language, officially known as ‘Western Punjabi’. This is an Oral Mother Tongue of around 100 million people. Our goal is to create music videos of Sacred Scripture. We are securing the assistance of skilled creative artists for this klongterm project and are pleased to announce the Pakistan’s sufi-opera singer, Saira Peter has agreed to direct this important project for us.
. Punjabi Christians in this picture are being taught new songs in their heart language.
2. ‘Marvi’s Tears’
a fusion opera !
This unique work has been written especially for Saira Peter’s unusual voice. The composition includes both Eastern and Western sounds, the story draws from two cultural worlds. Based on a Pakistani folk story, the tale calls to mind well-known Near Eastern literary heritage. The heroine Marvi, models female leadership. She resists the autocratic dictates of a king, risking her life to save her people. This is the world’s first sufi-opera!
Mobilising artists to respond to crises
When the catastrophic flood in western Pakistan destroyed the livelihoods of countless communities and washed entire orchards away, our artists held fundraising events. Our volunteers teamed up with ArtAid to safely deliver warm blankets and supplies to abandoned, devastated villagers in Balochistan.
Our Projects
Our projects grow out of the grassroots activities and values of our creatives, working together for the common good.
Every activity adopted by the board is launched in response to under-resourced communities and developed in collaboration and consultation with beneficiaries. Every project also becomes an opportunity to grow skills and capacity in young people.
Our music projects bring diverse audiences together, promoting peace and social cohesion
Our Disaster Relief fundraising concerts make a difference to stricken villages and towns overseas.
Who we are
Saira Peter, sufi-opera singer, Director of NJArts
Saira Peter
Trauma Coach, Creative Writer, Translater, Expert in Urdu, Librettist
Mr Zafar Francis MAemca PgDip
Classical musician, Ethnomusicologist, Amanuensis
Stephen Smith MA MAemca
Social Anthropologist, co-founder NJArts
Rosemary James MA (oxon)
What are you waiting for?
Ready to take the next step? Join or create an activity that impacts our complex urban environment. Celebrate the creativity in our midst and work together for the good. Together, we’ll care for city.
Contact us
Get in touch if you want to be involved