Qissa Collection
Stories shape our understanding of the world. They allow us to step into the lives of others, fostering empathy and connection. Yet, when it comes to Muslims in the media, the narrative is often narrow, repetitive, and crafted by those outside our community. This limited portrayal reduces our identities to stereotypes, stripping away the richness, complexity, and humanity of our experiences.
With nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide, our diversity is vast. We come from different cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences, yet media representation remains painfully restricted. Despite making up 25% of the global population, Muslims account for only 1% of television characters in the diaspora, 60.2% of whom play insignificant roles[1]. The prevailing depictions focus primarily on Arab and South Asian communities, overlooking the rich presence of other communities, such as Black Muslims, reverts, and those from other countries such as Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim majority country.
But the tide is turning. Muslim storytellers are reclaiming their narratives, offering authentic, nuanced, and inspiring portrayals of the Muslim experience. Their voices deserve recognition, celebration, and amplification.
Qissa Collection is a platform dedicated to curating a collection of stories from the diaspora that reclaims, uplifts, normalises and celebrates the Muslim narrative.
The aim is to bring together Muslim stories from different media forms into one central hub. As a Muslim, if you are looking for a story that you could relate to, this platform is for you. If you are a non-Muslim and want to find stories that come from our community, this platform is for you. By championing Muslim voices, we hope to nurture the next generation of storytellers, inspire meaningful conversations, and ultimately transform the narrative surrounding Muslims in the media.
The work has already begun, it's time to amplify it.
The content on the platform adheres to the following standard:
Centres Muslim Voices or is Created by a Muslim
The content should originate from or strongly reflect the perspectives of Muslim communities.
Avoids Stereotypical Depictions
The content should challenge clichés and reductive narratives around Muslims. It must offer depth, nuance, and humanity, steering clear of tropes often seen in mainstream media.
Does Not Promote or Glorify Actions Contrary to Islamic Teachings
While content can explore complex themes, it should not celebrate or normalise actions that clearly oppose Islamic values.
While the platform is in its early stages, this criteria is a work in progress. Representing Islam is complex, and not every piece of content will reflect or align with everyone’s personal values. Qissa Collection has done its best to ensure the content listed on the site reflects our criteria but if you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us - we would love to hear from you.
[1] Full report can be found here