THE UK is seeing a big rise in female Muslim entrepreneurs opening new businesses while juggling hectic family lives, according to the organisers of a major trade event aimed at the Muslim community.

It is estimated that females currently form 50 per cent of start-ups among Muslims – with this figure set to rise further in the future.

Next weekend, Manchester will be home to a wide range of female exhibitors showcasing their businesses to an estimated crowd of over 10,000 at the Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2016 – the UK’s biggest showcase of the trillion-dollar global Muslim consumer industry.

About 60 per cent of the 130 exhibitors will be female entrepreneurs including companies showcasing mocktails, luxury prayer mats, Islamic toys, fashion, accessories and cosmetics.

“The stereotype of Muslim women stuck in the kitchen and carrying out household chores are long gone,” said Tahir Mirza, founder of next weekend’s Expo. “When we announced this year’s dates for MLE2016, we were inundated with enquiries from Muslim women from not only the UK but across the world.

“It is refreshing to see how these ‘mumpreneurs’ are shattering the myth that Muslim women are held back and oppressed.

“The biggest inspiration for these ‘mumpreneurs’ is other Muslim females. Who better than up-and-coming female entrepreneurs with similar cultures and backgrounds to have as role models?”