Group Fursan - Workshop Information Pack


Fursan | Contents

Introduction to Workshops…………………………………. 3-4

Artist and Workshop Biography…………………………… 5–6

Lead Artist Profile……………………………………………. 7–8

Recent Projects………………………………………………... 9 – 10

Employer Comments………………………………………… 11

Workshops E-Flyer…………………………………………… 12

Workshops Summary………………………………………... 13 - 14

Live Performances…………………………………………….. 15

Contact Details………………………………………………… 16



Fursan | Introduction to Workshops

Who are ‘Fursan’?
‘Fursan’ is a world music and performance entertainment group, who facilitate a
variety of workshops in schools, communities and corporate organisations. The group
consists of three members - Abdula Khir, Farid Hamrat and Abdullah Shariff – who
together possess a variety of qualifications and have over 10 years experience of
working within the arts and education. These artists apply their expert knowledge and
skills to creatively educate and inspire the youth of today.

(Please see ‘Fursan’ Biography for detailed background information about ‘Fursan’.)

Aims and objectives
“Our aim is to inspire and engage individuals through the arts and creative
education.” – ‘Fursan’

Furthermore, ‘Fursan’ not only use their workshops to teach the mastering of specific
arts, such as: performance poetry, theatre and African drumming; they also aim to use
these arts as a tool to engage individuals in social and educational topics.

What do ‘Fursan’ offer?
‘Fursan’ facilitate a variety of workshops suitable for all age ranges, from primary and
secondary school youth to university and professional adults. Their workshops focus
on the arts and through these workshops ‘Fursan’ use their talents as tools to engage
students in a variety of social and educational themes. ‘Fursan’ have previously
designed workshops focusing on a variety of themes, such as: bullying, racism,
poetry, drama and Islam to name a few. These specific topics are often chosen by the
school/organisation and a workshop catered to the organisation’s need is then created.



Which skills do ‘Fursan’ help participants to develop?
- Performance Poetry and Slams
- Creative Writing
- African Drumming
- Contemporary Dance

How will your organisation benefit?
Schools and organisations will have the opportunity to offer their students a
successful and creative approach to education as well as a chance for teachers and
artists to work alongside one another. Furthermore, workshops are catered and
designed specific to request - this means that a school may request an educational
topic of their interest, e.g. bullying, which ‘Fursan’ can teach through performance
poetry and slams. Alternatively, a school or organisation could simply request a
drumming workshop to enhance general artistic and musical skills.

How will students benefit?
Fursan’s creative approach to tackling and teaching important topics to young people
has thus far been a great success. Students who have taken part in previous workshops
not only gain transferable skills, such as: confidence, teamwork and a more eloquent
style of communication; students also leave workshops with a greater understanding
and knowledge of the workshop’s key educational topic - whether this was a
teamwork and communication focus or an exercise in adjectives and poetry. ‘Fursan’
believe that when the arts are employed in a positive and inspiring way, this has a
snowball effect in enhancing a student’s overall development and openness to
learning.



Fursan | Artist and Workshops Biography

Abdullah is an experienced artist of several creative fields. Practicing within, poetry,
music, short stories, contemporary dance and drama/theatre, Abdullah had been short-
listed for Birmingham’s Poet Laureate position 07/08, nominated for the Short Story
award at the Muslim Writers Awards (2007), has been nominated as a judge for
several youth poetry slams and has performed throughout the UK and Europe as a
professional artist with his group Fursan. Abdullah is an experienced workshop co-
ordinator, due to his work under and alongside practitioners such as Richard Grant
(aka Dreadlockalien), Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito and Martin Gleynn since January
2007. Whilst working alongside such practitioners Abdullah has worked at all key
stage levels whilst also having run workshops and mentored 16 – 20 year olds,
through projects with Birmingham Central Libraries.

Abdullah is a head practitioner of school and community workshops although he often
works with an artistic group, consisting of himself, Abdula Khir (an experienced poet
and theatre actor) and Faird Hamrat (a talented singer and Djembe player). Working
together they are often titled by the group name ‘Fursan’. The group is artistically and
educationally diverse, as all three artists root from varying backgrounds and an ode to
this is the 8 different languages which they possess between themselves. The group of
artists have already performed at various venues, aiding charity events, been part of
the Islam, Hip-Hop and Social Change – The Debate tour, host a Spoken Word Poetry
show on Unity 93.5 FM and have run literacy and drama/performance workshops to
educate about culture, religion and social behavior in schools at key stage 2 and 3,
including the schools of Burntree, Waverly and Great Barr.

The group practice and deliver workshops by fusing together curriculum requested
education with the arts, using the art of spoken word, singing, djembe playing, theatre
acting, story telling and more within games and activities to enhance literacy skills,
creatively teach curriculum and social; topics (e.g. cultures, Islam or bullying) and
develop transferrable skills in students (e.g. confidence, teamwork, responsibility.) at
key stage 2, 3 and 4.



The group possesses activities and games which engage and teach children
successfully, which can be adapted and molded around requested topics from schools
and teachers. Moreover new and innovative activities are created and implemented in
workshops by request of teachers and schools, as the group also apply their
workshops to help create theatre, music and poetry pieces with classes to be
performed in assembly’s and school plays.

- Fursan at Broadway School -



Abdullah Shariff | Lead Artist Profile

Personal Profile
An enthused writer, Abdullah Shariff is a distinguished performing artist and one third of the

popular world music group ‘Fursan’. He has previously been shortlisted for Birmingham’s

Poet Laureate post, Muslim Writer’s short story award and has been published by Anchor

Books. Amongst working with young people and children, he works with many charities and

youth initiatives as a performer, workshop facilitator and keynote speaker. As an artist

Abdullah regularly conducts arts workshops in schools and communities while continuing to

travel, tour and perform across the world.

Personal Details
Name: Abdullah Shariff

Email: abdullahshariff1@gmail.com

Contact No: 07759088589

Website: www.groupfursan.com

Art Specialisation: Creative workshop facilitator in varied arts and

educational fields:

Poetry/Literature/Rap | Drama | Contemporary Dance

| African Drumming/Percussion | Sports Coaching |

Training and Education
2005 – 2008 Birmingham University

BA (Hons) Sports Management Degree

2003 – 2005 Stafford College, Stafford

AVCE Leisure & Recreation | AS Business Studies |

AS English: Language and Literature

Other Qualifications

 Silver Arts Award (Aug 2010)

 First Aid (At Work, Children’s and Emergency) (April 2010)

 VRQ Level 2 Fitness Instructors (December 2009)

 FA Football Coaching Level 1 (June 2006)



Training

 Trained in contemporary dance with infuse dance (2010)

 Trained in Djembe percussion with Mother Hubbard and Farid

Hamrat (2008 – 2010)

 Mentored and trained as workshop facilitator under Giovanni

‘Spoz’ Esposito and Richard ‘Dreadlockalien’ Grant. (2007- 2009)

 Lead Arts Workshop Training with arts organisation Aliss (2008)

References References
Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito Juaharah Salim
Bostin Productions Proprietor Warrington Youth Worker
07789 600 645 07762944786

- Abdullah at a fundraising dinner for Haiti -



Fursan | Recent Projects

Dec 2010 – The Broadway Aston School: Workshop (Birmingham)
Performance Poetry: Attributes of Positive Behaviour

Nov 2010 – Eid in Scotland (Glasgow & Edinburgh)
Live Performance

Nov 2010 – Oxfam: Fighting for Justice (Birmingham)
Keynote Speech and Performance

Nov 2010 – Islamic Awareness Week (Birmingham)
Live Performance

Oct 2010 – The Mac: Radiu5 Project Launch (Birmingham)
Live performance

Sept 2010 – The Mac: Gallery 37 (Birmingham)
Media, free running and contemporary dance workshops and showcase

Aug 2010 – University of Chester: Engaging with Youth Workshop (Manchester)
Performance Poetry and African Drumming

July 2010 – King Edwards Grammar School: Cultures Workshop (Birmingham)
Performance Poetry/Singing and African Drumming

July 2010 – The Broadway School: Workshop for SEN Students (Birmingham)
Performance Poetry & Drama Workshop

June 2010 – MJD Activities Camp (Bar Orb, Germany)
Live Performance

May 2010 – Secours Islamique (Paris & Strasbourg, France)
Live Performance and Fundraising

May 2010 – Karima School Workshop (High Wycombe)
Drama and Percussion Instrument

April 2010 - Burntwood Primary: English Literature Workshop (Birmingham)
Poetry Writing and Live Performance

April 2010 – Islamic Relief (Geneva, Switzerland)
Live Performance

March 2010 – Lyon Special Burns Unit Hospital (Lyon, France)
Live Performance and Guest Visit

March 2010 – Secours Islamique (Lyon, France)
Live Performance and Clean Water Fundraiser



March 2010 – Karima Poetry Slam (High Wycombe)
Performance/Stage Workshop & Live Performance

March 2010 – 1st Witness Afghanistan Fundraiser (London)

Feb 2010 – Birmingham Citizens Haiti Fundraiser (Birmingham)

Feb 2010 – Interpal Gaza Fundraiser (Birmingham)
Live Performance

Dec 2009 – YMUK Talent Search Project Finale (London)
Project Management: Event Planning and Co-ordination

Nov 2009 – YMUK Finalists Workshop (Manchester & London)
Performance Skills and Enhancement Workshop

Nov 2009 – YMUK Talent Search Project (Manchester & Birmingham)

Nov 2009 – West Midlands Police: Islamic Awareness Initiative (Birmingham)

- Farid and Abdula working with ‘YMUK’ talent search finalists -



Fursan | Employer Comments

''Fursan did an incredible job of differentiating the work to meet everybody's needs
and the students responded by producing fantastic material.''

- Miss Danielle Moore, English Teacher (Broadway School)

''Fursan have a great talent that works well with today’s youth, they engaged their
attention for hours and produced fantastic stage performances from all the young
people that attended - Thank You Fursan!''

- Muslim Youth Work Team (University of Chester)

''The feedback which we received from the students indicates that they enjoyed your
workshop mainly because you made it participatory and because they felt that they
had learnt or made something by the end''

– C. Parker, Headmaster (King Edward VI Aston School)

''Fursan provide inspiring and entertaining drumming workshops for children, full
of energy and fun, led by three dynamic and culturally diverse artists, with an added
bonus of being great role models for chlidren of all backgrounds''

- Shemiza Rashid, Director of the Creative Muslim Network

''The students were amazed that they were able to produce a poem that reflected on
life and serious issues such as poverty, suffering, morality, freedom and
responsibility, while developing an appreciation for literature''

- Miss Saleha Begum, Senoir Supervisory Cover (Broadway School)



Fursan | Workshops Flyer



Fursan | Workshops Summary

Workshops
‘Fursan Workshops’ are a creative approach to education. The workshops engage

students in social and educational topics through the medium of the arts.

The workshops are headed by experienced practitioners who possess the

qualifications and abilities to engage students through a wide range of activities,

games and workshops for creative learning.

The workshops practically involve the children and teachers in:

• Fun ice breakers, team work and communication activities.

• Poetry Slam competitions!

• Writing and performing positive poetry

• Contemporary dance

• African drumming and other percussion

• Dialogue and thoughts facing current social issues

• A final workshop performance

…which are all flexible and adjustable to needs as requested by your

organisation.

Duration of Workshops:
Workshops are flexible to needs, varying from an hour to an entire school day and

can even be booked over a number of days if required for the creation of an artistic

assembly/school show. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs and aims.

Cost:
Workshop costs will vary depending on requirements and are flexible for schools

and centres, in order to give all students a fairer chance at creative education. Please

contact us for further information on cost with your choice of workshop.*



Head Artist/Educator:
The workshops are headed by experienced performance poet, writer and theatre

actor Abdullah Shariff (aka DoubLe). Who has been shortlisted for the Birmingham

Poet Laureateship 2007/2008, Muslim Writers Awards 2007 and has worked in

schools, libraries and community centres throughout the UK alongside Birmingham

Poet Laureates Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito (Bostin Productions) and Richard Grant aka

Dreadlockalien (Dreadlockalien productions).

*We understand some schools have private/varied funding structures which may

cause exclusion from creative education, to give all students a fairer education, we

can make exceptions on pricing, so please do not be afraid to contact us!

- Fursan in Trafalgar Square, London -



Fursan | Live Performances

‘Fursan’ are a world music group who provide live entertainment at a wide variety

of events for a variety of organisations including charities, corporate organisations

and schools. To find further information on Fursan’s live performance work or for

bookings please visit www.groupfursan.com or contact Fursan via the details

provided below.

- Fursan performing for ‘Secours Islamique’ -



Fursan | Contact Details

Fursan work with a variety of organisation types, from schools to charities to
corporate organisations. The group can be booked for a live performance or to
facilitate a workshop to your request.

For more information, bookings and for any queries please contact Fursan via the
following information:

Phone: +44 (0) 7759088589
Email: info@groupfursan.com
Web: www.groupfursan.com

‘’A bright idea for our world’’


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