The Everyday Muslim digital photography archives are a vital visual documentary of Muslim life across the United Kingdom. This large and unique collection is seeking to grow – with the help of Britain’s 3.5 million Muslims.

The organisation has launched a brand new photography competition to help shine a light on new talent, and also discover treasured photographs from family collections that will add to this rich tapestry about British Muslims.

Winners of the competition will not only be featured in the archive collection, but also have the additional opportunity to be in an exhibition, publication or documentary, and be mentored by a successful media professional.

One of the experts on the panel of judges is Navid Akhtar, who is the founder and CEO of Alchemiya.com, a video streaming service offering movies, dramas, and documentaries about Islam and Muslims. Commenting on the new competition, Akhtar said:

“Growing up in East London it was difficult for me to ever come across anything that could explain the history of my family and my community. Everyday Muslim is doing an important job in recording the past and present of what it means to be a Muslim living in Britain.

“Importantly they are doing this with help from the community, so we know that what is being preserved is a true representation. It  is a valuable and important resource for anyone wishing to research our history, and the competition is an excellent opportunity for everyone to contribute.”

The theme of the competition is ‘everyday Muslim life’, and entry is open to both amateur and professional photographers.

Submissions can be either new photos or from your personal collections or family album.

Photos can show; activism, art, buildings and places, celebrations and festivals, childhood, education, faith, family, food, travel, home, leisure, work or even the current pandemic.

Winners will be decided by our panel of expert judges, which include talented professionals from photography, journalism, media, travel and television.

The Prizes

Three overall winners will each receive a £100 retail voucher and have their images discussed by the expert judges during a live broadcast at our virtual awards ceremony. They will also be included in exciting new Everyday Muslim projects and subsequent collaborative ventures.

Ten exceptional entries will also be broadcast live at our virtual awards ceremony and included in future Everyday Muslim projects and collaborations.

About the Competition

The competition opened at noon (GMT) on 11 March 11 2021.

All entries must be received by 23:59 (GMT) on 17 May 2021.

The competition is free to enter, and is open to all, regardless of where they are based in the world. However, the image(s) they submit must depict Muslim ‘everyday life’ in the UK or Ireland.

Entrants cannot be related to any persons organising and/or judging the competition.

Submitting an image to the competition means you agree to accept the competition rules, terms and conditions.

Submit your Entry

There are more details on the Everyday Muslim website about the competition, including the judging panel and competition organisers, the full competition rules and Entry Form.

Click here to read more and submit your entry.