Chai and Chat: Guftagu with Cllr Shahin Ashraf MBE

This event is Pay What You Choose. Our recommended price is £6.

Guftagu گفتگو  (Urdu for conversation) is a special Chai and Chat for Spirit of Pakistan Festival with Cllr Shahin Ashraf MBE in conversation with Rabiyah K Latif MBE.  

Chaired by Dr Mano Hashmi, they will reflect on leadership, resilience, friendship, and the lived experiences of women in Birmingham, creating an open and supportive space for shared stories, meaningful dialogue, and community connection.

Cllr Shahin Ashraf (pictured above) will share her own journey as a woman committed to developing the quality of life for others. She is an international humanitarian, advocate, and political leader with over 25 years of experience shaping policies and amplifying voices across the UK, USA, South Asia, and beyond. From founding Islamic Relief USA to serving as Head of Global Advocacy at Islamic Relief Worldwide, to her elected role as Mayor of Solihull.  

Dr Mahnaz Hashmi is a psychiatrist at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Birmingham, specialising in the interface between physical and mental health. She is also co-founder of Medstars, which provides mental health support to public sector and private organisations. Mahnaz trained in Cardiff and UCL, researching marginalised communities, mental health and counter-terrorism legislation, before returning to her hometown of Birmingham to help set up innovative mental health services. Interested in the arts, accessibility and mental health, Mahnaz has sat on the Development Board of the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, led community meals in Birmingham through Local Welcome, and currently sits on the board of Sampad.

Location: The Garden Suite at Mac Birmingham

Chai and Chat includes free tea and coffee.