5 South Asian groups in Birmingham promote peace and understanding across cultures

Notinee Indian Dance is one of the South Asian groups in Birmingham
Women from Notinee Indian Dance. Photo via Notinee Indian Dance’s Facebook page

If you’re not from South Asia, you might be surprised to learn about these five South Asian groups in Birmingham. And, there are more: Birmingham boasts Telugu and Tamil communities as well as groups of Pakistani physicians.

What this means for the majority of Birminghamians is that if you’d like to get to know your neighbors better while learning about other cultures, you’ve got plenty of opportunities right here in town.

South Asian Cultural and Professional Organizations

Indian Cultural Society

Indian Cultural Society at Birmingham Museum of Art is one of the Asian groups in Birmingham
The Indian Cultural Society at Birmingham Museum of Art. Photo via Indian Cultural Society at Birmingham Museum of Art’s Facebook page

ICS promotes Indian art and culture through free programs that are open to the public.

  • Contact: Sanjay Singh
  • Where: Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • For more information: Facebook
  • Email: ssingh@askcts.com

Notinee Indian Dance

Notinee is one of the South Asian groups in Birmingham
A dancer from Notinee performing. Photo via Notinee Indian Dance’s Facebook page

“‘Notinee’ is an ancient Indian word meaning ‘The Dancer.’ Notinee Indian Dance. . .blends together two classical Indian dance styles. . .along with elements of folk dances from different parts of India. This ‘blended’ pan-Indian dance form was the brainchild of poet and educator Rabindranath Tagore. . .Asia’s first Nobel Laureate.

Notinee’s mission is to exemplify the spirit of inclusiveness that was at the heart of Rabindranath Tagore’s worldview. The students of Notinee represent ethnicities spanning four different continents, and all the major world religions.”

From Notinee’s website

Bengali Association of Greater Birmingham

bengalifood 5 South Asian groups in Birmingham promote peace and understanding across cultures
Look at that spread. Photo via Benagli Association of Greater Birmingham’s Facebook page

This charitable and cultural organization serves the Bengali community in Birmingham.

Religious Organizations Serving South Asians (and others) in Birmingham

Birmingham Ismaili Muslim Community

The Ismaili Muslims are a culturally diverse community living in over 25 countries around the world. They adhere to a 1,400 year tradition of Shi’a values that are expressed through a commitment to a search for knowledge for the betterment of self and society; embracing pluralism by building bridges of peace and understanding; and generously sharing of one’s time, talents and material resources to improve the quality of life of the community and those among whom they live.

From the.ismaili
  • Where: 131 Oxmoor Court, Birmingham, AL 35209
  • Contact: 205.290.7431

Birmingham Islamic Society

Their vision is “To become the unifying platform for nurturing and sustaining a vibrant Muslim community in the Greater Birmingham area, and to help improve the quality of life for society at large.”

Now tell us Birmingham, are you involved with other South Asian organizations? We’d love to hear about them. Tag us on social @bhamnow and let us know.

Sharron Swain
Sharron Swain

Writer, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference

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