A Manchester-based Islamic phone case brand recently held their first in-person event at Palestine House, in High Holborn.
On June 29, Kaaf-Nūn held a tatreez – a traditional form of Palestinian embroidery – workshop on the back of launching their tatreez phone case.
The brand seeks to highlight Islamic art while promoting sustainability through their eco-friendly phone cases and other products.
Founders Aadam and Umm Halima said: “It gave us the opportunity to bring people together in a meaningful way and celebrate Palestinian heritage through craft and community.”
The brand began after a trip to Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage, in 2022 by the founders.
After being deeply moved by the intricate artwork of the Prophet’s Mosque, they decided that they wanted to make something that brings the richness of Islamic art into everyday objects.
They said: “That’s when we decided to start with phone cases, something we all carry, but designed to a high standard that celebrates Islamic heritage.
“Our goal is to inspire reflection and remembrance of Allah through everyday items, merging functionality with faith-inspired aesthetics.”
Kaaf-Nūn decided to host the event in London due to the vibrant scene it has for Islamic arts and culture.
The workshop was ran by the Tatreez Collective, who host tatreez workshops in London, in collaboration with Kaaf-Nūn.
Community centre Palestine House, where the event was held, was a natural choice for the workshop to be held as its values aligned with theirs.
Aadam and Umm: “There’s a lot of creative energy and a strong sense of engagement, especially around cultural initiatives.
“Since the workshop focused on a traditional Palestinian art form, hosting it at Palestine House felt especially meaningful and respectful of the culture we were engaging with.”
Kaaf-Nūn choose to portray Palestinian solidarity with their business, in the practical sense, by donating a portion of the proceeds from their Palestine collection to charity Muslim Hands.
But they also seek to shift public perception through making products that people can use to show their support for Palestine.
Reflecting on the event, they explained how it portrayed the power of connection, as they were able to meet people who support their brand.
They said: “We hope to grow and collaborate with more artists and brands.
“This event was a starting point, and we’re looking forward to building on it with more in-person events tied to future collections or new product launches.”
At the heart of Kaaf-Nūn is meaningful design rooted in faith and culture.
They added: “Everything we do is inspired by the idea that beauty can bring us closer to the remembrance of Allah and we hope our work continues to reflect that.”
All images: Barath Menon (not for re-use)
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