Deen & Dunya

Deen & Dunya

Deen & Dunya is a poetry night that celebrates and elevates Muslim voices. Since its inception, it has enjoyed sell-out nights at Bush Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe - headlining the Shakespeare & Race Festival. In August, Deen & Dunya sold out the Royal Court Theatre on two separate occasions. 

Expect an evening punctuated with poetry, and soundtracked by a live DJ. Deen & Dunya is an authentically Muslim space that is sure to light a spark in your heart. Headlined by Sunday Times Best-Selling Poet, Hussain Manawer.

Created by Azan Ahmed. Produced by Azan Ahmed & Khameleon Productions. 

Group bookings:
If you buy nine standard-rate tickets then you get the 10th free. Group bookings (of nine or more tickets) can only be booked over the phone or in person. 

Booking Enquiries:
Our online booking system doesn’t allow customers to leave isolated seats. We do this in order to prevent gaps in the auditorium.

Seats marked with an ‘i’ on the seating plan have a restricted view.

If you require any help with your booking then please contact our Box Office by emailing tickets@stratfordeast.com or calling 020 8534 0310

Hussain Manawer (he/him)
A significant moment as Stratford East birthed his first ever live performance when Hussain was a mere 15 years old at an after-school poetry slam, a moment which changed his rhyme forever. 

Using poetry as a tool throughout life, following the sudden passing of his dear mother, his works and words have since travelled the globe numerous times. 

Following a TV show with Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry, collaborations with the Royal Family, Burberry, becoming the first poet to open the FA Cup Final, Soccer Aid and The BAFTAs television awards.

DEEN & DUNYA provides a full-circle moment as The Original Mummy’s Boy is set to headline this electric poetry night elevating Muslim voices in East London. 

Hussain is the first British Pakistani Poet to consecutively hold two weeks in the Sunday Times Chart with his debut collection Life Is Sad and Beautiful. The collection has sold over 10,00 copies and is now in the UK’s Key Stage 3 and 4 National Curriculum. 

Life is Sad and Beautiful will be available to purchase on the night.

Saher Shah (she/her)
Saher is an actor, writer & spoken word artist from East London. She was on last years Soho Writers lab and a Rifco associate. She has received seed commissions by Kahani arts & Rifco Theatre company to develop new writing and is currently working on a short film with MFest which is in preproduction. Her debut play “Vitamin D" had a sold-out regional tour earlier this year and has been short listed for a Standing ovation award for best new play raising awareness and best production at the Asian media awards later this year.

Sher Khan (he/him)
Sher Khan is an aspiring Professional Wrestler, Writer and Game Designer whose story speaks to the heart of his craft. By creating content in a variety of outlets, Sher Khan hopes to inspire the many Bronze faces like his own to rise to their creative strengths.  His first time performing poetry was at Deen & Dunya. His work has been published by Brunel University.

Saida Ahmed (she/her)
Saida Ahmed’s a black mixed raced disabled actress, published writer and poet. recent credits include a lead in the BBC’s Jerk (BBC), a guest role in Brassic (Sky), the title role in short film Mo <3 Kyra (Film4), and have worked with theatre companies including Headlong, Tara Theatre, The Bush, Graeae and The Pappy Show. I was nominated for The Stage’s “Best Debut” in 2020 for the title role in Little Miss Burden by Matilda Ibini at the Bunker Theatre. 

Muneera Pilgrim (she/her)
Muneera Pilgrim is a Poet, Cultural Producer, Writer, Broadcaster on BBC and Ujima,  TEDx Speaker, and WOW Festival Speaker with international acclaim. She conducts workshops, shares art, guest lectures, hosts, and finds alternative ways to educate and exchange ideas while focusing on methodologies of empowerment for non-centered people. At heart, Muneera is a storyteller, concerned with telling stories to disrupt mainstream narratives of non-centered people globally and to beautify truths that are rarely told. Her Debut Poetry collection 'That Day She’ll Proclaim Her Chronicles’ was released in November 2021 through Burning Eye Books. 

Azan Ahmed (he/him)
Azan is an actor, poet, playwright & founder of Deen & Dunya.

As actor: Van Der Valk (ITV); Count Abdulla (ITVX); The Father and The Assassin (National Theatre); The Tempest (Shakespeare's Globe).

As writer, his debut play Daytime Deewane won the 2023 Offie Award for best writing (TYA). He is currently being mentored by Roy Williams as part of the Hampstead Theatre INSPIRE cohort.

More Information

Age guidance: 14+

BSL interpreted by Hahna Ahmed

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