Sahera Patel | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

I am a 47 year old female Muslim and my talks aim to inform, educate and inspire through not only the teachings of Islam, but how it's message can empower and motivate all members of humanity to deal with life's challenges. I am also a teacher with over 20 years of experience, enabling me to offer an interactive, relevant presentation, whilst remaining adaptable according to the reaction of the audience in front of me. I am also a published author (I'm not a Celebrity I am a Muslim, Unveiling Arabia and The Voice of Palestine) and enjoy writing poems that express both the vulnerability and strength of humanity.

I have been pursuing public speaking as a paid hobby, but will attend events voluntarily if the organisation requires it. My talks can cover topics ranging from the very basics of Islam to exploring gender equality and how it has been exploited throughout Islamic history.

I have several years of experience presenting specifically on Islam, and more recently on the concept of 'white privilege' and my experience of racism as a British Muslim. I have also talked about being an author, discussing the misconstrued views and politically driven motivations that build on globally misconceived perceptions.

I welcome challenging topics and promise an expression of honesty, sprinkled with a sense of humour! Please see testimonials below.

I hope the above has summarised the purpose of my presentations. Please feel free to make further enquiries if you have any questions.

Testimonials: Sahera Patel is an engaging and inspiring woman. Her honesty and openness to discuss and share her faith and values is refreshing and informative. I was delighted that she led the Women and Islam session for teachers as part of a Craven DEC twilight training course on Understanding Islam and Countering Islamophobia in Sept 2017. (Fiona Protheroe, Craven Development Education Centre)

Last year, Sahera Patel came to talk to the Mothers’ Union in Gomersal. She came without any hesitation and talked to us openly about her Muslim background, her pilgrimage and her family life. She answered the many questions we had and we all completely took to her friendliness and openness. We were so impressed with her presentation that we have booked her again for next year. She is the perfect ambassador for bringing different cultures together. (Trees Fewster, Branch leader, St Mary’s Church, Gomersall)

Sahera Patel is an articulate lady possessed of a wide vocabulary which enabled her to pen her autobiographical work I'M NOT A CELEBRITY, I AM A MUSLIM. I have heard her speaking, as a Muslim, to audiences in Manchester, where she has been very well received. She explains her faith fluently with humour and with obvious love which also extends to her audiences. They repay her by asking questions which she answers with deep knowledge of her subject. Her intelligence and sincerity are always patently obvious. It is a great pleasure to be present on these occasions. (Lionel Ross)

Current position (1)

Teacher

Kirklees Supply

Degrees (2)

BA Hons in English with social and economical history

Manchester Metropolitan University

1992 to 1995

PGCE

The University of Manchester

1995 to 1996

Presentations

Presentations (2)

Gender equality in Islam

Think of a Muslim woman, think of a headscarf, a face veil. Talk to a Muslim woman and you will hear independence, strength and a determination to achieve the rights which are God given. There are many facets to a Muslim woman, as there are to every human being, but as Muslim women, we have been marginalised, stereotyped and many of us, silenced. Listen to my talk, discussing how Islam made legal our rights 1400 years ago and explore with me the theory, which is rarely seen in practice. Gender equality remains a challenging concept, just as it has been for many centuries across all cultures and ideologies. My aim is to empower the listener with the knowledge to break down stereotypes and enable them to never look at a hijabi or a niqabi in the same way again!

White Privilege

An honest discussion about my personal experiences growing up as a British, Asian Muslim in the 80's and 90's: It is only recently that the concept of white privilege has been challenged, and using my writing as a tool, my presentation would enable the audience to question their own position in terms of race and preconceptions of different cultural identities. Attached is a poem I wrote over two years ago which clearly expresses my views and provides an example of the direction that my talk could take, if this is what is required.

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The Revered Female

Interfaith book club

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Expertise (4)

Other