North Lanarkshire Muslim Women & Family Alliance
Traces of Empire — voices, memories and our shared history
Running now · opened Sunday 4 October 2026 · open for 3 weeks · free entry
An exhibition co-created with community groups at Summerlee Museum, Coatbridge ML5 1QD. Through oral histories, workshops and storytelling we reflect on the stories of communities impacted by the British Empire. Open to all — voluntary and community organisations, faith and cultural groups, youth groups, seniors, families, partners, local councillors and friends. In partnership with North Lanarkshire Council and Historic Environment Scotland.
Launch update · 3 October 2026
Community voices at the exhibition launch
NLMWA and WSREC gathered with community members, partners and invited guests at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life on Saturday 3 October 2026, ahead of the public opening on Sunday 4 October.
Facilitated by Jamilah Hassan and formally opened by Councillor Jim Logue, the launch brought together reflections on history, education, migration, identity and lived experience. Women shared personal and family stories, giving space to memories that have not always been represented in mainstream historical accounts.
Bushra Iqbal MBE contributed an education reflection, while Nasim Hussain shared a reflection on Partition. The community books My Hero and Our Kitchen offered further ways of preserving women’s voices, family memories and cultural knowledge.
In her reflection report, Maria Hurtado highlighted the importance of communities telling their own stories, recognising their resilience and passing knowledge between generations.
Traces of Empire: community voices at Summerlee
