It started out as a simple idea – a filmmaking project to reach underrepresented youth in the north. Now, 14 first-time filmmakers in Oldham say they are redefining what it means to be a brown Muslim girl.
The group of young woman, all in their teens, go by the name Brown Muslim Gurlz. And their documentary, titled Unveiled Voices, explores what it means to be just that.
It is a film which has seen them gained widespread recognition, and earned them a nomination for a UK-wide award.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
“We wanted to create a film that brings brown Muslim girls the opportunity to share their experiences in their own words,” said Zenab Mumina, a 17-year-old producer who also featured in the doc.
“Through conversations about identity belongings and growing up. We felt it was important to create something honest that reflects our voices and perspectives by telling our own stories in a thoughtful way.”
Running at just over eight minutes, the film features short, punchy, interviews with members of the community and local heroes like national Taekwondo champion, Hadiya Momin.
The topics range from the concepts around race and ethnicity, the importance of religion, representation and confronts the attitudes towards gender roles within South Asian society.
14 South Asian girls from Oldham worked on the project
While the girls could soon be reaping the rewards of their hard work which started in March last year, Zenab and fellow producer, Minahil Rizwan, also 17, told the M.E.N that they were both hesitant of the process when it began.
“It was a bit challenging at first,” said Zenab. “Our confidence level was a bit low and sharing our experiences took a bit of time.
“But once we got the hang of it in the end, we felt like the space was comfortable and we were able to share our stories, experiences and self-expressions.
“I was a bit shy at firs with the whole idea of it being a documentary, being out there.”
Minahil added: “I don’t think we’ve ever seen a film where it was only about brown Muslim girls and their experience in society, especially in a western society.
“It was really fulfilling to make something new for other girls to watch and feel represented.”
Minahil Rizwan
The girl’s documentary comes at a time when racial and religious hate crime is at a rise in the UK.
Latest Home Office figures show that between April 2024 and March 2025, there was a 19 per cent increase in religious hate crimes targeted at Muslims, with a drastic spike taking place after the devastating Southport murders and the riots that followed.
Furthermore, Centre for Monitoring, an organisation which examines the media’s reporting of Islam and Muslims in the UK, found there to be a bias against Muslims in when it assessed over 40,000 articles from 30 major UK publications.
The group concluded that 70 per cent of the outlets associated Muslims or Islam with negative behaviours or themes.
Conscience of the conversation around the Islam and ultimately, their identity, Zenab and Minahil hope the documentary can provide some context and pushback against a rising tide of Islamophobia.
Zenab Munina
“That was a really big central theme,” said Minahil. “Because everyone has difference experiences with their religion. Some of the girls wear a hijab, some of the girls don’t.
“None of us in the group criticize each other about it. Because we all live in a western society, it’s hard. I think that’s the whole point of the documentary.
“The idea that other people have of Islam isn’t what we want to portray. We want to show that everyone has their own journey.
“I hope that was seen through the film, but that was our idea.”
The girls were support by staff at Fatima Women’s Association (FWA) based in Glodwick. They were stewarded by Manchester artist and filmmaker, Hafsah Naib, who is the founder of Working Class Film School.
Before a camera was turned on, the group learnt about representation, identity and social issues, before applying the knowledge to make the film.
The girls were trained by local filmmaker, Hafsah Naib (Image: Hafsah Naib )
They developed an understanding of cinematography, lighting, and interview techniques before applying them in their community.
Speaking of the experience, Hafsah said: “We really want people to watch the film.
“By watching the film, audiences will really understand about what it’s like being a brown Muslim girl.
“It’s not about being brown, not about being Muslim, not about being a girl. It’s about being all those three things.
“I’m a bit older and I remember the difficult times. What’s so inspirational about younger people now, is these girls are really clear headed about who they are and what’s important to them.
“It shows in the way they dress, the way they talk like very girl from around the country, they’re young people from Britain as well as being Muslim.
“These things are very enriching.”
Hafsah speaks to the group in Oldham
The ceremony for the Into Film Awards will be held at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London on June 16. Brown Muslim Gurlz have been nominated in the best documentary category.
Into Film is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding. Discover the rest of the nominees and watch all the nominated films here.