Visionary Saima has provided an opportunity for women running small businesses to give themselves a platform and space to be recognised at an annual Eid event.

Saima Khan from Bolton is the founder of the Chaand Raat Eid celebrations which not only celebrates the beauty of Eid but empowers women who often don’t have these opportunities handed to them.

“My main aim was not to promote massive businesses out there, it was for women who work from home and have a small business. It’s to give them the entrepreneurial skills to maybe promote themself and to promote their business.

“I’m trying to get women out there and do more for themselves and push them and say ‘look you might be a housewife or just working from home but that’s can run a business, you can sell things out there, you have got the confidence’ and for me it’s all about women advocacy,” says Saima.

As a British born muslim Pakistani her rich culture and traditions shape a significant part of her Eid celebrations which is reflected in her event. 

“For me and my family it’s all about that gathering, sometimes we’re so busy with our hectic lifestyles, we can’t get a chance to meet family. It’s that connection,” says Saima.

Saima’s Eid fair is a vibrant fusion where faith, sisterhood, culture and traditions meet. 

She noticed a gap in the market where people could get traditional things like henna done for Eid and other cultural activities.

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“There were always the ethnic shops out there that were in every city and town, but sometimes you want little gifts, souvenirs or personalised items and I couldn’t really find that.

“One area where I was really stuck with finding was the traditional henna.

“Muslim women all over the world use henna when either they’re getting married or it’s a cultural function. Just you know various types of henna, traditional, glitter henna, tattoo henna, whatever.

“So that’s why I started it, I thought I’m gonna put together a little event and why don’t we do it for fundraising. Every year we find a charity and maybe it could be a women’s organisation,” says Saima.

The fair which has been running for the past four years has continued to expand in reach with people from all walks of life.

“I always kept it open to women that have a small business from home, if they’re a full time mum or a full time housewife, or they do something from home because they’re restricted to go out and work,” says Saima.

The opportunities to indulge in culture and celebrations range from henna to abayas, to buying ouds and traditional cuisine.

There’s everything from modest fashion such as abayas and hijab to Asian fashion wear. 

“There’s people selling all sorts of things which are relevant for every culture  alongside traditional stuff for Eid. We get various communities coming to this  event every year, so it grows bigger and bigger.

“The event went from having like 10 to 15 stalls to 30 to 40 stalls now. 

“It’s nice to see that people who are different come together, because we are all the same, regardless of your age,  your colour, your ethnic background or disability.

“It’s such an achievement to see other cultures coming forward and getting henna done when it’s not in their culture,” says Saima.

This space has been pivotal due to it allowing these women to share their skills, away from the usual demands of their daily lives as mothers and wives.

“You can come together for a cause like this and celebrate women’s diversity and women’s culture,” says Saima.

This Eid event means so much for the community and for women as it is a place for growth and connection through the celebration of Eid.