Maslaha
Charity 1139560
Overview
Summary
Maslaha appears to be a Muslim-led social justice organisation that uses education, cultural work, practical rights resources and institutional critique to improve conditions for Muslim communities. Its distinctive role is not limited to explaining Islam to wider audiences: it connects community experience to systems such as schools, healthcare and prisons, while framing this work as part of wider struggles for safety, equality and liberation. The available evidence suggests it operates as both a resource-maker and a bridge between communities, service providers and decision-makers.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Balsall Heath West
Confidence: medium
Maslaha's September 2025 project page says it had been running Birmingham family workshops for more than a year and identifies the Museum of Islamic Arts and Heritage as the space used. The museum's official site places that venue in Balsall Heath. This is strong evidence of delivery in Balsall Heath, but there is no later publication confirming that the workshops remain active after 2025.
- Maslaha, "Learning and making together for global justice" project page, 16 September 2025
Maslaha states that its resource emerged from workshops it had been running in Birmingham for over a year with families, and thanks ORT Gallery for initiating the sessions and the Museum of Islamic Arts and Heritage for providing the space. - MIAH Foundation official website
The Museum of Islamic Arts & Heritage identifies its gallery in Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - ORT Gallery official contact page
ORT states that, although it works remotely, it continues to use the MIAH Foundation venue for workshops and events.
Remaining uncertainties
- Maslaha's official Muslim Girls Fence page says that community projects operate in Birmingham, in collaboration with British Fencing, but does not identify a current Birmingham venue or ward. It therefore supports Birmingham-wide presence but cannot justify assigning further supplied areas.
- The available evidence does not show that Maslaha owns, leases or permanently staffs a Birmingham site. The evidenced Balsall Heath location is a partner venue rather than a confirmed Maslaha-operated base.
- Within Birmingham, the most precisely evidenced activity is neighbourhood-based in Balsall Heath. However, the unspecified Birmingham delivery of Muslim Girls Fence means it is not possible to conclude confidently that all Birmingham activity is confined to that neighbourhood.
- Maslaha's overall footprint is national rather than Birmingham-specific: its official materials describe work and projects in Birmingham alongside London, Doncaster and Bradford, plus resources intended for wider use.
Additional evidence needed
- A current Maslaha delivery schedule, annual report or impact report identifying the dates and venues of Birmingham sessions.
- Confirmation from Maslaha or British Fencing of the current Muslim Girls Fence Birmingham venue(s) and whether sessions are continuing.
- Confirmation of whether the Balsall Heath family-workshop programme continued beyond the September 2025 publication.
Areas of work
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Education/training
- Human Rights/religious Or Racial Harmony/equality Or Diversity
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Community knowledge is treated as a source of change
Maslaha appears to position Muslim communities not simply as recipients of tailored services, but as holders of knowledge and tools for addressing injustice. Its approach may therefore combine advocacy with community-led learning and cultural expression.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish Maslaha from organisations focused only on representation or service adaptation: its operating model seems to seek agency within communities as well as change around them.
Show evidence
“We work in shared struggle with Muslim communities and we believe that the tools for liberation lie within our communities.”
Source:Organisation“Our work is rooted in practical change, critical learning and public imagination.”
Source:Organisation
It connects cultural work to institutional change
Maslaha appears to use arts, history and identity-based projects alongside rights, health and criminal-justice work, rather than treating culture as separate from social change.
Why it matters
This suggests that exhibitions and educational resources may be strategic tools for changing public narratives, strengthening identity and making institutional harms more visible.
Show evidence
“Activities include educational resources, exhibitions exploring history, art and identity, health resources and criminal justice system work.”
Source:Charity Commission“Maslaha produces award-winning and groundbreaking resources, driven by our ability to engage with communities, service providers, and decision makers alike.”
Source:Organisation
Schools and prisons emerge as important sites of systemic harm
The available material suggests Maslaha is especially attentive to institutions where Muslim identity may shape everyday treatment, participation and safety. It may be translating community concerns into practical tools and evidence for institutional accountability.
Why it matters
This identifies a likely strategic focus: changing how major public institutions affect Muslim people, rather than concentrating only on general dialogue between communities.
Show evidence
“The Hidden Lives of Muslims in Prison examines adjudications procedures, jobs and education schemes, and additional days added to sentences.”
Source:Organisation“The Far-Right is Hurting our Students and our Classrooms supports schools to understand far-right narratives and take action through classroom practice and whole-school culture.”
Source:Organisation“The charity objects include raising public sector awareness of services tailored for and sensitive to Muslim communities.”
Source:Charity Commission
- The geographic reach, scale and depth of Maslaha's direct work with communities are not clear.
- There is no evidence of formal partners, funding relationships or measurable outcomes.
- It is unclear how its stated focus on solidarity with other communities is enacted in practice.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports, impact evaluations and project-level participant data.
- Information on partners, referral relationships, funders and the locations of programmes.
- Evidence showing how community members shape priorities, governance and resource design.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
HEALTH RESOURCES E.G. WWW.TALKINGFROMTHEHEART.ORG EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES EXHIBITIONS, EXPLORING HISTORY, ART AND IDENTITY E.G. WWW.THEBOOKOFTRAVELS.ORG AND WWW.ICANBESHE.ORG CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WORK
Charity objects
TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE SUBJECT OF THE ISLAMIC FAITH AND ITS PRACTICE AND TO THEREBY PROMOTE A GREATER AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF ISLAM AND ITS DAILY PRACTICE AMONGST MUSLIMS AND NON-MUSLIMS ALIKE; AND TO PROMOTE EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY BY: (A) RAISING PUBLIC SECTOR AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF ISLAM AND THE NEED FOR SERVICES THAT ARE APPROPRIATELY TAILORED FOR AND SENSITIVE TO THE PRACTICES OF MUSLIM COMMUNITIES; AND (B) PROMOTING AND INFORMING DIALOGUE, DEBATE AND GREATER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND NON-MUSLIMS ON ISSUES OF COHESION AND INTEGRATION.