Our activities are people centred and therefore as diverse as the people we know. We passionately believe in actions that, no matter how small, can change futures.
In 1998 we founded a MULTI CULTURAL PERFORMING ARTS ARTS CENTRE, the Noor Jehan Arts Centre, in East London. It was opened by Sir Cliff Richard OBE for the purpose of drawing marginalised artists together for mutual support and to introduce them to successful West End stars. Many of our current activities have grown out of the network of influencers developed since then. Through NJArts, artists from many cultural backgrounds have acquired new social skills. They are able to bring diverse audiences together. These relationships between different communities led us to do a variety of charitable activities, large and small in scale – all with lasting impact:
The Noor Jehan Centre, or NJ Arts -London: a Centre run by diverse volunteers, from several cultural backgrounds, which models intercultural activities and encourages social inclusion in London. NJArts is a safe place for the support of many marginalised artists, their friends and families. It is especially in demand by women from cultural backgrounds where the arts are considered shameful and women are at risk. Through events such as gifted and talented concerts, seminars and workshops, audiences have learned about different genres, participated in celebrations of diversity through harnessing the creative expression of music and dance. Our artists build new platforms, where hope and a variety of beautiful works are made accessible to all.
Cross-cultural events: peace conferences, celebrations, seminars, workshops, conferences – transforming thinking through communications, relationships and togetherness, enabling social inclusion.
Innovative publications designed to overcome cultural gaps in understanding, introducing readers to wider frames of reference, increasing the capacity for peaceful co-existence.
Educational grants to support asylum seekers, marginalised youth and to increase leadership capacity in women
Support for artists and their families in London, introducing them to resources, expert help, friendship for those who have fallen on hard times or are significantly marginalised from existing resources.
Disaster Relief in hard places, especially to victims of quakes and floods in Pakistan – especially those left out of aid programmes because of marginalisation or inaccessibility.
Medical help of diverse nature, individuals in desperate need, a healthcare centre in Sindh, seminars to equip health workers