VOICES OF MUSLIM WOMEN

With the increase in reports of Islamophobia attacks, discussion of the oppression of Muslim women, and the endless debate of Islam’s place in the west, a common theme presents itself; Muslim women are not given the opportunity to voice their perspectives. Muslim women have a lot to say and therefore, as a form of empowerment, Muslim Food Bank in partnership with Kwantlen’s Visual Media Workshop and Freed Education Co, will be holding its first Voices of Muslim Women Workshop on Kwantlen’s Surrey Campus through the month of April. Thanks to the generous support of the community sponsors, Bombay Collection, Bombay Couture and Astra Dental, twenty Muslim women, ages ranging from 15-72 will have the opportunity to undertake the digital storytelling program and earn a KPU certificate. The objective of this community education program is to provide a platform for women to discuss their stories, their dreams, and their fears in a safe space. Though they share a title of “Muslim woman” they also experience several differences in terms of upbringing, culture, language which provides a setting to further learn from each other. The workshops will feature discussions on privilege, Islamophobia, identity and the purpose and impact of presenting a digital story. The students come different backgrounds, cultures and ages but are all eager to tell their stories and to come together to meet with other encouraging and inspiring Muslim women. Meet a few of our students: Nidha Yaqub is excited to share stories that will create better dialogue in our communities in issues such as Mental Heath, the female Muslim Identity and more. Nidha is a Canadian-Muslim-Pakistani who is completing her Bachelors in Child and Youth Care at the University of the Fraser Valley and later plans to pursue her Masters in Art Therapy. She is an Executive Director with the HOPE project which works towards empowering Muslim youth that deal with challenges relating to addictions, behavioral and mental health concerns. She is one of the founders of the Breathing Room which is a space where she works collaboratively to create dialogue, share perspectives and address some of the social causes of mental health issues by holding a regular meet up once a month. She hopes to one day open up her own youth centre. Awan Malawiya, is looking forward to learn digital storytelling skills to sto- ries that have been waiting to be told. Awan is a 72 year old Muslim woman from Ba, Fiji. She is one of 13 children. Awan moved to Canada on October 10th, 1970 from Lautoka with $100 (borrowed), her husband and two children. She got a job at the hospital. Later Awan and her husband created a business Binaka Building Maintenance. In her family and community Awan is known as the Culinary Queen. In her free time she enjoys gardening, watching Hindi movies and laughing with her grandchildren. Naveen Zafar is a community developer who is a strong believer of the power of education. She has been involved within higher education for six years and in the community for nearly fifteen years. She is driven by helping others and collaborating with individuals and organizations towards the betterment of the community. Along with being a BBA-Marketing Management graduate, she is a TEDx Speaker and the Cofounder of two University Clubs. As the President of the Muslim Student Association club at KPU she organized interfaith dialogues, activities and events with community members to address misconceptions about Islam to foster a safer, inclusive environment for visible minorities. Hosna Shendandi is a grade 9 student at Frank Hurt. She loves to dance and express herself. She’s always energetic and loves to make people smile. She loves music and is a super geek. Thrill is something she’s always seeking but is also super shy. Though, she is also very deep and loves to write poetry on her own time. They will create their own digital stories that showcase their journeys that will later be presented at a Film Festival on May 17, 2017 on Surrey campus from 7-9pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from Bombay Collection or at the KPU Surrey Bookstore. For more information, please contact Aisha at aisha.amijee@kpu.ca or 778 846 5451.