Youth Panel Member Reflects on Journey with Mai Project

Discovering Culture and Identity Through Art and Community

Maleehah Hussain, a member of the Youth Panel for Bradford 2025, City of Culture, has shared her experiences participating in the Journeys with Mai Project. Since April 2025, Maleehah has been actively involved in various events, including co-hosting a summit for young people and partners, creating Vox Pops for the project launch, and organising community activities for children and their parents.

Highlights from the Young Persons Summit

The summit, held at Cartwright Hall, featured a packed agenda and received positive feedback from attendees. Among the standout moments were Polynesian dances and a Lei making workshop, which offered participants a hands-on experience of Fijian culture. Maleehah particularly enjoyed the Lei making session, which allowed her to connect with colleagues from Fiji and gain insight into their cultural identity.

• Polynesian dances showcased traditional costumes and ancestral roots
• Interactive Lei making workshop fostered creativity and community spirit
• Panel discussion led by Maleehah and colleagues explored Mai’s portrait and historical perceptions

Personal Reflections on Immigrant History and Identity

Maleehah reflected on how the project has deepened her understanding of immigrant experiences and identity struggles. As the daughter of immigrants from Azad Kashmir, she related to the challenges her late mother faced when moving to the UK, including cultural shock and language barriers. Maleehah emphasised the importance of authentic representation in art, noting discrepancies in the depiction of Mai’s skin tone across different portraits.

She highlighted the need for accurate portrayal of ethnic figures to better convey their true identity and history. The project has also been a source of personal growth for Maleehah, especially as she navigated grief following her mother’s recent passing. Sharing a poem about her mother at the summit brought a poignant and personal dimension to the event.

Looking Ahead

Maleehah hopes to continue her involvement with the Mai Project as it moves to Cambridge and Plymouth, aiming to explore how young people can express Mai’s story through various art forms such as dance, writing, and performance. She believes that understanding Mai’s identity in an authentic historical context is crucial and sees parallels with contemporary discussions about identity among young people today.

Currently beginning a legal career at DAC Beachcroft, Maleehah plans to balance her professional life with opportunities to engage in the arts and cultural projects.

For more detailed insights and to follow Maleehah’s journey, readers are encouraged to visit the original article on the Bradford Museums blog: Maleehah – My Journey with Mai.