Big Zuu, Naz Shah and Shabaz Ali confirmed for Hyphen Festival 2026
Big names in politics, sport and the arts will discuss Muslims’ rich contributions to life in the UK and Europe — and key issues facing communities
Hyphen Festival 2026, Hyphen’s annual celebration of Muslim contribution to British public life and culture, takes place on 4 November in Westminster — and you can watch us interview leading names in politics, sport and the arts using our YouTube livestream.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s Hyphen Festival features panels on the government’s counter-radicalisation programme Prevent, English teaching for speakers of other languages (ESOL), and Muslim contributions to the arts.
Related content
Layla Aitlhadj, director of Prevent Watch and joint author of the People’s Review of Prevent in 2022, will join crossbench peer and former interim independent Prevent commissioner David Anderson — whose review, Lessons for Prevent, was published in 2025 — and Hyphen investigative reporter Lucas Cumiskey for a discussion titled on the future of Prevent chaired by Hyphen’s deputy editor (news and investigations), Ramzy Alwakeel.
Meanwhile, a panel chaired by editor in chief Burhan Wazir will focus on the importance of ESOL provision to the British economy and society, informed by first-hand experience of the sector from teachers and learners. Sunder Katwala, director of the thinktank British Future, and Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, will be joined by teacher and organiser Adela Belecova, who leads on strategy and campaigning at English for Action.
Meanwhile, TV and radio presenter Nayha Ahmad, influencer Shabaz Ali, actor Aayan Shoderu and casting director Shaheen Baig will discuss how their lived experiences have helped bring to light some of the most exciting stories of recent years. The panel will be chaired by Hyphen reporter Saman Javed.
Hyphen reporters will also interview three key figures from the worlds of arts, entertainment and politics. Naz Shah MP will be interviewed by Saman Javed; rapper and entertainer Big Zuu will be interviewed by Aisha Rimi; and para powerlifter Doaa Shayea will be interviewed by Weronika Strzyżyńska.
In addition, invited guests will see the premier of a new travel documentary about Hajj, which will be accompanied by an onstage Q&A between film-maker Abdelkader Harkassi and Hyphen’s managing editor Mars El Brogy.
Hyphen editor in chief Burhan Wazir said: “We are excited to have expanded this year’s festival to include even more big names, underlining our position as the leading media platform for Muslim life in the UK and Europe.
“We anticipate some great panel discussions as well as some lively interviews.”
To watch the live stream, visit Hyphen’s YouTube page or follow @onlinehyphen on X for updates throughout the day.
