Duniya Photography

STUDENT FEES PROTESTS www.duniyaphotos.com

2010-12-10T22:07:00.000Z

MY U TUBE CLIP FROM THE DEMO..DOWN LOADED A GREAT TRACK FROM SAYED KABIR ENJOY THE TRUTH...THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED

STUDENT FEE PROTESTS 9/12/10 MY EXPERIENCE

2010-12-10T21:46:00.001Z

Yesterday as I sat on the train heading towards Russell Square for the student protests I found myself singing along to Whitney's -"The children are our future' In my head...somewhat cheesy but very apt I thought.

These children fighting for their right to a free and fair education system are our future, they are our Doctors, Scientists, Teachers, Architects and Engineers of tomorrow. Amongst these kids could be our future leader, but not if the coalition Government has it's own way. If it was up to them, the door of the old boys club would remain firmly shut tight.

Knowing that this much Unity and hunger for equality would have caused untold fear amongst the elite I was expecting a little trouble so I wrapped up warm and packed a sandwich for the kettle. But really I had no idea of what I was about to witness. I had no idea of the brute force that was just about to be unleashed onto these youngsters.

As I approached the back of the procession the mood was almost carnivalesque with steel bands and sound systems. Kids danced and cheered as they marched towards Parliament. I laughed and joked with strangers as we walked...the comradrie kept us in high spirits.

When we reached Parliament square I have to admit the scene in front of me was almost surreal...it was like something that I had seen on the TV or in a film. No I'm not talking about violence or anarchy just the fact that it felt so immense. Imagine walking into parliament square to see thousands of young people fighting for the same cause....groups of young people laughing and even singing, snippets of conversation mature in their wisdom reaching my ears. I admit I had to smile...the lions had finally woken up. Eyes open these kids were beginning to realise the truth of the system that chose to destroy them and any dreams and aspirations that they may have had.

I couldn't help but to feel proud and in awe of these young people...fighting for justice and their civil rights.

However one thing I certainly couldn't miss from the moment I entered Parliament square was the hostility emanating from the police. As I stood in front of parliament, in the front line, ,I stood eye to eye with BRITAIN'S FINEST...beneath the masks I hate to imagine the grimaces, but the hate and agitation shone out of their eyes as clear as day. In fact without sounding too cliche I'm sure some of them were actually enjoying the thought of the physical attack. Their hands and their weapons twitched if there even a slight movement in the crowd...they were like wild dogs just waiting for the signal to attack.

And attack they did.

After a couple of hours in parliament square the atmosphere began to change for the worse..the look in the policemen's eyes got a little crazier and mounted police seem to be appearing from all angles. I was right at the front taking pictures of the police and I have to admit the worst I saw at this point from the students was water guns..it was at this point, just childish rebellion. But unfortunately the police did not seem to understand that these were children in front of them and in a brief second everything changed. One minute I was clicking down on the camera button the next I saw the police surge toward us batons raised..indiscriminately lashing out into the crowd. The noise in my ears was a mixture of screams and panicked voices but also those who refused to back down and stood their ground insults spitting like venom out of their mouths...sickened by what they were witnessing. The crowd was surging in all directions trying to avoid being hit. At this moment I had no choice but to put my camera down and just try to get out of there. I couldn't breath, I was being knocked around and it really was a game of dodge the kosh with the police.

All I can say is a big thank you to the group of young Pakistani and bengali boys that I had been talking to earlier. They managed to get me to the side and then disappeared into the surge of bodies.

For a moment I caught my breath, heart pounding. Now I've been caught up in some madness in the past at the Palestinian demos outside the Israeli embassy but this attack was a lot fiercer then anything I had seen before.

After a brief moment I started to walk back towards the front line thinking things had calmed down a little only to be met with the sight of gigantic horse mounted by baton wielding maniacs racing towards where I stood. For a moment I froze...was I really seeing what I thought I was seeing. My mind couldn't comprehend the fact that these horses were about to bare down on us with all their might...then the ad-reline kicked in and I ran all thoughts of photo opportunities forgotten at the feet of the horses. An inner instinct has always told me to run to the side and I did climbing on a railing and holding on for dear life. All around me kids scrambled over railings, some screaming in fear others running in blind panic...around me kids were having panic and asthma attacks, young teenage girls cried in fear while boys who had barely reached man hood risked themselves to help them over walls and into safety. I can't forget the look on the faces around me, there was a look of shell shock. NOBODY in their wildest dreams had expected this . While mounted police rode into the crowd, foot police surged in with their batons hitting out at already frightened protesters. As I clung to the railing with one hand the other managed to get some shaky shots of the horses. Luckily for me and those around me they headed away from us towards a bigger group of protesters and it was all I could do to watch as the fear and adrenaline kicked in and these kids hurled anything that they could at the advancing police. Sticks, stone, fences went flying in the air.

I know that the media will portray this as violence on the protesters part but it was pure and simple self defence. It is a base human instinct to fight back when we are scared and being attacked. Around me children and teenagers sustained injuries, blows to the head and body. I have learnt since that Alfie a 20 year old protester from Middlesex Uni has had to have an brain operation. All I can say is thank God that he was not another Ian Tomlinson. In fact I am shocked after they way the police reacted that we didn't have a repeat of that horrendous act. But I thank God that this wasn't the case but it so easily could have been. How would the police have justified a teenage death..but then agin they always find a way.

I also learnt that my dear friend Jody McIntyre, Activist and all round super hero was dragged out of his wheel chair and beaten twice by police. What kind of Animal is capable of such actions, another friend of mine ended up in hospital with a head wound. Another bruises to his arms...the list is endless.

As night fell, the students battered and bruised, sat around small fires trying to keep warm. Some were still jovial despite the violence, others looked shocked and confused. Myself and a group of friends decided that now was the best time to leave. Past experience has shown me the demons really come out to play when the sun goes down. It was time to go.

Unfortunately that decision was also taken out of our hands. As we headed for Trafalgar square, laughing and joking trying to shrug off the negativity of the day I happened to look up and see that beyond the group in front of us were more mounted police. As I looked at them they suddenly surged towards us. They rained down on us as we tried to leave..we were heading away and they drove us back in. In blind panic the crowd dispersed in all direction. Then for a few moments it was calm, people looked around for loved ones and friends lost in the panic, and just as we caught our breath they surged forward again. So what choice did we have but to run back into the kettle.?

If the following wasn't a police tactic then i'll give up photography. They had left around 4/5 police vans in the middle of the road. The horses behind us herded us between a wall and the vans. We kept moving forward only to realise that there was nowhere to go as their were baton wielding officers in front. So there we were stuck between the horses and the foot soldiers, hemmed in between a wall and van. Yet they kept pushing forward. Panic rippled through the group all around me, there must have been over a hundred of us squashed into the space of an average hallway. The more they pushed the more we screamed that that we could breath. The more we screamed the more they pushed us. We were begging them that there were people with asthma and kids but instead they pushed us more. Out of frustration a few people started to push the van but the rest of the group stopped them. From what I can see any aggression or vandalism from the students was only in response to illegal police tactics. To make matters worse they penned us into this tiny spot and then rushed in. All to the left of me were baton and shield wearing officers who suddenly randomly hit out into the crowd. There were a couple of boys between me and the police and they were being hit but no one could help as we were hemmed in so tight we couldn't move our arms.

The only point shame kicked in was when in response to beating us our only retaliation was to scream peaceful protest over and over again. Imagine being hemmed into a tight spot, in front of you you can see police battering other protesters but you cant move, you cant run you cant fight, you cant even take pictures as you cant move. Are these the tactic you use on children and teenagers. But I have to say we held strong. The group I was in all held onto each other and slowly moved forward. As we literally crawled past I remember a police woman raising her baton and for no reason about to reign it down full force...somehow our eyes connected and I shouted,"they are scared, they are kids, please please don't hurt them" for a moment a look of humanity crossed her eyes and she let us pass...but when I looked back that humanity was gone as I saw her weapon smack into someone's shoulder. I don't know how we got out of there but somehow we did.

When the police then told us we could leave via the way we had just been chased we did wonder if it was a trick...but the thought of freedom way too good and we went along with it.

As we walked toward trafalgar square we wanted to laugh to feel relieved but we just couldn't. The fear of the unknown was too much. It took three sets of kettles till we were finally free.

But even then it was short lived as the police decided to chase all of those who had just left the kettle.

This is the point where they all ran through trafalgar square towards Oxford Street, you can blame the police for Charles and Camila car getting trashed. They chased these kids like animals and wondered why they ended up chanting such revolutionary lines as "off with their heads" at our monarchy. These kids have had enough...the revolution has started and theres nothing that the elite can do. It's too late. We have had enough of being pushed around and we are pushing back..these are our streets and we want them back.

I have a strong feeling that this is only the beginning, a generation brainwashed by mind numbing computer games and hollywood movies has just brushed away the oppressors tools and the truth is beginning to unfurl. They can beat us, try to destroy us but we will come back stronger each time.

Viva la revolution

AFGHANISTAN PROTESTS

2010-12-08T18:56:00.000Z

FREE PALESTINE PHOTOS - www.duniyaphotos.com

2010-12-08T18:27:00.000Z

Hey,

Exciting news!!!! I have just created and uploaded my first UTube link. Granted it took me all day but at least now I have an idea how to edit.

It's based around some of the photography that I have taken at the Palestine demos and features the remix to Lowkeys Free Free Palestine.

So sit back and enjoy and hopefully (Inshallah) there will be more to follow.

THE MONEY SHOT LOL

2010-12-08T00:21:00.000Z

Hey I know I have really been a bit rubbish with my blogging of late but I have good reasons. Yesterday I went to visit a very talented friend.
Henna is also a self taught photographer with the most amazing photoshop skills...check out her website http://www.hennam.com/
I wanted Henna to help me create a shot of myself for my hijab project.
As I do not wear a Hijab myself I didn't want to put one on just for a shot so I decided to go for the Pakistani Chardor look.
The Chardor is worn in Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. It is a traditional shawl wrapped around the head and upper torso to promote modesty.
As you can see Henna completely captured the look that I wanted....

The Picture represents HEAR NO EVIL from the tail of the 3 Evil Monkeys. See no Evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. I really love the idea of that and am toying with the idea of using that theme in my project with my photos hmmmmmmm what to do.

I am just finishing off something that I have been working on today but I shall be back in a bit with another blog of some photos I tool in Henna's studio. I am trying out some new beauty edit techniques so let me know what you think xx

MY WEBSITE

2010-12-04T19:55:00.000Z

Evening everyone,

Going to keep it short and sweet tonight, as I am so tired and have decided it is an evening of Takeaway and crappy TV for me. Not the most exciting of Saturday nights but it's cold outside and I feel brain dead.
The last few days have been pretty busy for me....wanted to go through all my photos and make sure everything was saved and filed correctly. Probably the most boring part of being a photographer...but a necessary evil none the less.
once this mundane task was completed I started the next item on my tick list...updating my website. It's meant still being awake at 4am and a total sacrifice of my time and energy but it was worth it and it's finally done. here check for yourself and see what you think eh?

http://www.duniyaphotos.com/

so I will leave you guys browsing my new little creation whilst I hunt down those take away menus...and who said it wasn't exciting being a photographer xx

GRAFFITi

2010-12-03T21:39:00.001Z

Graffiti is something I have always loved, maybe it's the rebel in me, but something about graffiti always makes me smile if it's done well. It's that up you to the system, art of the disenfranchised youth.
But the thing I love about graffiti is the way it crosses boundaries, cultures and countries. Step into any country in this world and you will find some graff artist has left his mark. It's universal and needs no language to understand.
Below is a selection of some of the art I have found in London, New york, Spain and France.

Enjoy

Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised [Early Version] -...

2010-12-03T14:37:00.000Z

REVOLUTIONARY MUSIC TO EDIT TO

Mary J. Blige - Just Fine

2010-12-02T13:54:00.000Z

Just felt I had to share one of my favorite girl power songs. Forget pussycats doll and all that fake feminism..the 90's RnB scene and artists like Mary J told the truth of a women's lot.

This track automatically makes me smile and feel positive..it makes me feel strong and vibrant.

I really hope track this passes on the good vibes to you guys too. Share a little of that self love and respect xx

Policeman hits peaceful student protester 30/11/10

2010-12-01T01:45:00.001Z

THIS GUY WHO WAS HIT BY THE POLICE IS A FRIEND OF MINE AND ONLY 19 IS THIS RIGHT? THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSE TO WHEN THE STUDENTS WERE DANCING IN FRONT OF THEM AS MENTIONED IN MY LAST POST

STUDENT FEE PROTESTS

2010-12-01T01:31:00.000Z

It's snowing in London on the day of the planned protests against the fee cuts, not only is it snowing, its absolutely freezing. But I still headed out a bit 4 layers of clothing.

When I arrived at Parliament at 2pm there was something strange afoot. Parliament was eerily empty. All I could see every where were police and a few lonely looking students...hmmm strange. Little did I know at that moment students were playing a lovely game of cat and mouse with the police. Splitting into groups, running in different direction, taking side roads then back tracking on them selves...the police really didn't know what to do. Students with the element of surprise ran riot on the streets of London, stopping traffic and telling the whole of central London that they were not accepting these cuts.

Couple of strategic calls later I was heading over to Trafalgar square. With Parliament closed off by the police the students had no choice but to return to Trafalgar sq..so the cat and mouse game continued.
As all well planned missions..the students had their troops on the way but also waiting at Trafalgar square was an army of disenfranchised young people..ready to stand up for their rights.

As soon as I hit the square it was action at the ready as I ran with a group of youths with a massive sound speaker. I have to admit the look on the line of policemen faces as a horde of youths ran towards them was priceless...the fear was emanating from every pore as I watched all their muscles tighten and twitch. But to my great amusement as I turned to face the crowd I saw a sea of protesters dancing in front of the police. Not exactly the waltz but a almost primeval war dance...all I could think of was the Maoris before battle. The sad thing is the police really didn't know what to do..faced with a group of angry dancers they did what they always do best..retaliate with violence. Pushing and shoving at the crowd with their batons out. Undeterred the horde then ran to the other side of the square where there was another face off. There was no violence just healthy questioning and debate with the police? The only aggression I saw was a few burnt placards..burnt out of frustration from not being allowed to leave the square.
However It never ceased to amaze me once that day the aggression and hostility the police show to what is essentially a group of kids.

However I have to say I was so proud of these young people..with every accidental push or barge that comes in a crowd came a barrage of apologies. As I whizzed round taking pictures..snippets of comments reached my ears "if they take the EMA away how am I gonna study? What have we done wrong? Why are they treating us like this?" amongst the questions there was also a sense of hostility. A very normal looking middle class girl told me that since the last protest she had started to hate the police. Growing up she never had a problem with them however now when ever she saw one all she felt was resentment.
A sentiment echoed by many of the youth there. All the police have managed with their heavy handed tactics is created a generation that will always mistrust the police..these kids will one day be adults, did they ever stop to think about the repercussion's of their action? A whole generation alienated from the police.
What summed it up for me was the young boy who said he always wanted to be a police man but if it meant breaking the law what was the point..you weren't the good guy any more and he wanted to be the good guy.....how profound was that?

These kids today proved that they had the intelligence to outsmart the police and to do it peacefully. The so called 153 arrests are jumped up statistics. All they did was arrest a few stragglers at the end drop them down the road, de-arrest them then send the figures out to make it look like to the public that they did an excellent job in policing hooligans. I can tell you as an adult all I saw were the police treating children and teenagers in an unnecessarily aggressive way. All I saw were a bunch of pro active intelligent young people standing up for what they believe in. Education is not only for the rich and the elite it is not a privilege to be enjoyed by the few, education and knowledge should be for the masses..how can we expect diversity if those that hold all the power come from one single subculture?

So I support the students whole heartily in their struggle to their right of an education and also their right to voice their opinion and protest.
Below I have attached a selection of pictures taken from today's protest

Sade - By Your Side Music to edit

2010-11-30T04:04:00.000Z

It's funny the music you pick to edit to. Sometimes it's militant Hip Hop or House other times something a bit more mellow is needed.

Editing seems to require a mindset, doesn't matter what it is, but you got to be feeling something to be able to edit those photos and complete the last stages of your work, your art.

I find when emotions are running through my head to edit becomes therapeutic...you get lost in your work and the music and before you know it the sun has dipped and shadows cast themselves in the corners of the night.

Tonight I edited to Sade...an artist who brings back so many memories and feelings..some good and some bad..but essentially with Sade comes history.

No matter how I feeling before hand something bout her voice and the pain in it dredges up emotions buried deep within.

But it's good to feel, it's what makes us human, what makes us strive to be better people. When ever we think we are lost something or someone always brings us back.

So as I close my photos and files for the night with Sade's haunting voice echoing in my head..the words on my lips I smile regardless of the painful memories or the the hurts of the past as I know I moved a step closer to my dream tonight..another evening filled with pro activeness and achievement..as I look at some of my creations I know some memories are buried in the music and some are yet to be created by my hands...you can't really help smiling at that can you?

STRENGTH AND SISTER HOOD

2010-11-26T01:13:00.000Z

Have you ever felt that your dream is really near yet so far? That someone or something is holding it just out of your grasp? It's not a nice feeling...it's disheartening and demotivating and can eat you up slowly from the inside...leaving you doubting everything about yourself.

Well I have been feeling a lot like that lately...guess it's due to a mixture of life being complicated and getting in the way and finding myself navigating around an industry and a world which is alien to me. It's left this overly confident loud strong woman feeling a little insecure and completely overwhelmed.

Navigating the world of the Arts and funding is like sinking into a massive black hole...makes me feel like it's times like this that who you know and where you come from could make a really big difference.

I sat there today with my heads in my hands wondering what was the point in doing such a big project if I couldn't get it funded to give it everything it needed to be outstanding and truthful to my hijabi sisters or failing that I couldn't get it commissioned to be shown.

I don't have a rich mummy and daddy or husband to fund me. I fund myself and the help is needed..I was literally at the point of giving up some may say it shaytan whispering in my ears.) But I motivated myself to attend a meeting tonight.

This meeting was spear headed by an amazing sister, Lauren Booth a recent revert to Islam. The meeting was to discuss an idea for a Muslim women's project.

As I sat there and listened to the women talk and felt the thrill of new adventures calling me I began to feel that dark shadow lifting. And suddenly Anika was back, chatting, thinking, debating, living. (now they couldn't shut me up, funny what passion can do)

How can I describe to you how truly inspirational it is to sit in a room of Muslims sisters with such vibrancy and passion. All these sisters varied in every way from ethnicity's to levels of practise from the loud to the quite. But there was no judgement or up man ship from any side. It really was a beautiful thing to see us sisters strip things down to the bare facts we are MUSLIM and we are WOMEN.

Although our life stories may differ we are one. I cannot describe to you how freeing it was unite despite the differences...its not the differences that make us who we are but the commonalities.

We had the same goal to celebrate who and what we are.

Watching the women speak with such compassion and real feelings was like an epiphany to me. In one way or another at some point in her life each woman had suffered something for being a Muslim female. It seems our legacy that we are made to carry the mans burden...but I felt something different in the air tonight...EMPOWERMENT.

Sisters ready to take back their identity...no holds barred. And I mean no holds barred, I think anyone that suggested that any female in that room was inferior in any way probably would have got a slap or two lol.

How could I even conceive to give up. Is it not a Muslim woman's lot to suffer and struggle to make her place in this world? Statistically speaking it's harder for us to gain employment and we suffer the closed door syndrome regularly. A Muslim woman's life is not easy...unfortunately due to egotistical men and cultural confusion our women suffer. Then the west holds us up as this sniffing little damsels in distress. But from what I can see that's what makes us stronger...that's what makes us what we are. You hold us back we push harder. Sisters have had enough...it's our time to shine and show the world the greatness and the diversity that is us. But don't be fooled it will be a long and arduous journey but we will stand firm.

So what am I rambling on about??? Well tonight showed me that its about fighting..about being proud and standing tall, that these obstacles are a part of life and you should never let them get in the way and deter you. We are Women...Mothers of the nation...Paradise lies at OUR feet and if we hold strong our time will come.

So my beautiful sisters whether you are Muslim or not...know that even when times are at their darkest or it seems like all your hard work is ignored keep striving, keep dreaming. Not just for yourselves but for all your sisters..DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION.

And to end on that note i have attached a picture I found on the 13th most powerful Muslim Women in Britain.

I applaud you my beautiful sisters xxxxxx

if you want to read the article that goes with this picture please do i found it inspiring.

http://thetimelesslight.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/meet-the-13-most-powerful-muslim-women-in-britain/

OFF SEASON WEDDINGS

2010-11-24T17:58:00.003Z

The wedding season is officially over and for most photographers like myself, I can not help but to feel a little sad as this season is what allows me to finance my projects and charity work. As well as that it's enjoyable to know that you have helped create memories that will last a lifetime.

However every good photographer knows that weddings still occur off season...and plenty of them too.

To celebrate the Off season I am offering reduced rates on snapping your big day.

All quotes are on a bespoke basis dependent on your needs and budgets...however a further 20% discount will be applied to all those booking between now and Feb 2011 for any wedding up until April 2011.

So for a friendly informative chat please feel free to contact me on 07949270943/ 07913619751 or alt email me on duniyaphotography@yahoo.co.uk
p.s in regards to segregated events, I have a strict policy that no men view the photos whilst in my care..they are also not uploaded to the net or shown in any future capacity to men

50'S AND 60'S AFGHANISTAN

2010-11-23T23:11:00.000Z

Evening all,

I was looking through a profile on Facebook today and came across an amazing photo album of pictures taken in Kabul in Afghanistan in the 50'60's and just had to share some of these shots with you.
We are so used to seeing images in the media of Kabul as a war torn region where women are hidden in a pale blue Burkas and the streets are lined not with gold but with bullets and shrapnel.

It's hard for any of us to imagine that Afghanistan was once a hub of modernity and commerce..that it's universities were full of both male and female students. Looking at these images makes me sad.....Afghanistan was once a great nation, it could still be a great nation if we left them to govern themselves. This was not a back water that needed bringing into the new millennium...Afghanistan was well on it's way until the west got their hand in during the 70's war with Russia. Since then we have seen the decline of this once wondrous country.

So don't let the media and the Government convince you that Afghanistan needs us there....from what I can see they were doing a whole lot better before we ever stuck our oar in.
So lets celebrate Afghanistan for the greatness it holds inside and will one day release again x

BIOLOGY CLASS KABUL UNIVERSITY

LOCAL DRESS OF KHANDHAR

PARENTING CLASSES

WINDOW DISPLAY KABUL

60S FASHION

RADIO KABUL

KABUL AIRPORT

AFGHANI AIR HOSTESSES

KOOCHI DRESS

OFF TO STUDY

PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM

SCHOOL GIRLS

SUPER HEROS PART 1 - Takwa Kheriji

2010-11-22T23:00:00.004Z

Real Superheros come in all forms and shapes. Unlike the Hollywood versions. Those super powered cape wearing types just don't really exist or have a place in society. Instead we have the everyday super heros...the normal folk just struggling in life to make it bearable...these superheros who never acknowledge their actions or achievements or perhaps are not even aware of how much they have actually achieved.

These super heros cannot be defined or categorised...they simply exist, they are us. They are the image staring back from the mirror. They are our smiles, our frowns and even our tears. They face the same barriers and struggles as we do..but they over come and persevere.....an example to us that it's not what life throws at us but how we deal with what it throws at us that really matters. So with this beautiful idea formed in my head I set about a way to encapsulate all the strength and amazingness I see in the every day grey around me...that flash of colour that signals humanity with its strengths and fallibility's.
So what other way then to pay tribute to all the unique souls that cross my path but to shine a light on their humanity and let it shine let it shine let it shine.

TAKWA KHERIJI

Oh dear I can hear her in my head as I commence to type "Oh Mon Dieu Anika but why?"
That just sums up why Takwa has to be on my list of super heros...she is truly a woman who possess a quite but over whelming strength that is as subtle as it is strong.
So why did I pick Takwa...first she is a friend, a sister and a house mate and I love her as if the blood that courses through my veins is the same as hers.

Takwa at 25 seems both vulnerable and determined..but never mistake the tiny frame and cute smile for someone who needs your protection or empathy for her strength shadows her tiny frame.
3 years ago she made the life changing decision to follow a dream. A dream that led her to leave her family, her country and her friends. It wasn't a dream of Fame or Glory or riches but a simple dream..a dream to teach and nurture the future generation. But why would one so young have to leave behind all that she knew and to follow a dream that seems to most attainable.
Well what I didn't mention is Takwa is from France...the country that has not only banned the veil but made it impossible for French Muslim women wearing the Hijab to enter work within the Public sector.
So if you want to work in public services which includes teaching you must sacrifice your religious beliefs and morals first.
You must shed the symbol of your belief and leave it at the door.

Yet Takwas dream to teach was so strong that she knew she could not leave it behind and yet also her personal desire to practise her religion was stronger....choosing one over the other was not a question...the question is what would she have to sacrifice in order to be the woman inside.

And sacrifice she did leaving behind loved ones and familiar places to pursue her need to be whole....
it's been 3 hard years and in that time Takwas has achieved so much.
Beginning with a nannying job to learn English Takwa followed through by working as a teaching assistant.
And now her dream is even closer as she is in the process of completing her PGCE to teach French Arabic and German within our school system.
I know it's been a hard road for my dear friend and sometimes I see how fragile she feels and how she struggles and wants to give up but for me that makes her even more of a superwoman...her conviction to follow through on her dreams means so much more when I see her fallibilities and weaknesses.
The day of her graduation will be a moment not only for Takwa but all those other beautiful women out there told that they must be something different from what their heart yearns...it will be a victory against all those that repress us and hold us in chains.

So I say to Sarkozy and other Fascist's like him...you may place these barriers in front of our sister...destroy their souls...try to mould them into what you want and desire but they will take their burden and they will fight you and they will succeed (Inshallah).
For you are no match for my super hero's.

as a added note I would like to mention that takwa will be modeling for my project : )

LABI SIFFRE SOMETHING INSIDE SO STRONG

2010-11-22T21:43:00.000Z

NO WORDS NEEDED..........................................................................

AFGAN WOMAN

2010-11-22T17:07:00.003Z

Afghan Woman

by Latorial Faison

I have come to know you only by T.V.
and lately, when I see you, I weep for
fear and freedom, for you Afghan woman.

I stand in the shoes of femininity with
rights and choices, I have arrived by the
grace of God through ancestors. So I

shed tears for you, she who can finally,
and maybe once again, wear the beauty
and feel the mind's freedom. You've been

denied priceless and precious moments
you've been denied the enhancements
education can bring. But maybe now,

from the abyss of war you'll know victory
for yourselves, your children, your country
and live out dreams you've dreamed. We are

similar. You are woman. I am woman, and
we desire to be made whole, to live lives of
free will and chosen paths of our destinies.

I see you, with covered faces and bodies, just
moments after having sold your children that you
both might eat, after living in fear of a savagery.

I see your pain. I am called by your name, and
I cry because my face was also covered, my ankles
whipped, and my books had been taken away from me.

I live in fear and pray for peace each time T.V brings
you near. You are here, and I am there, and across
the miles I've come to share your pain Afghan woman.

I just wanted to share this poem that I found on a blog by Latorial Faison. An African American Poet and authoress.
For me why I love the poem so much is that underlying pin that unites us all...Our unity is the global suffering that women all over the world endure.
The burden of men's mistakes heavy on our backs. Pushing us down with the weight of their wrong doings. They make these mistakes and start the wars and we dutifully pick up the pieces and heal the wounds. But who heals our wounds who makes us whole again?
This is dedicated to all those beautiful strong women carrying those heavy burdens and responsibilities on their backs....we are all united and together we are strong. So sisters take a minute to feel the pain of womankind....be it in Afghanistan...Pakistan...Iraq...Palestine...Haiti...Sudan..Somalia or be it the woman who lives next door...or who works in the same office...or the woman with the sad eyes you see on your commuter train in the morning.
She is I and I is she.

GET THE TROOPS OUT

2010-11-21T03:08:00.001Z

What's with London, rain and protests?? Spent another Sunday in the rain again supporting a fantastically important cause. Get the Troops out of Afghanistan!!!

The war in Afgan/Pakistan is costing thousands of innocent lives and to what gain. Young British soldiers are sent there without basic equipment and with no understanding to why they are really there...they confuse protection with occupation...leaving the land ripe for invasions from the Taliban. In a land where there is no hope and drones drop bombs on your Village on Eid day...what else but can you do but pick the lesser of two evils...helps if they are supporting a beard too.

While the West keep their troops in Afgan/Pak no peace will ever come to that region.
The people will continue to suffer under a regime which allows innocents to be killed..children to starve..women to be denied basic human rights..they will continue to grow in their hatred towards the West.
When the floods hit Pakistan...where was the Western aid? It was left to Islamist groups to take care of the people.
When drones hit villages and kill innocent people ..is it not the West that drop these bombs?
When troops enter homes and abuse women and take the men are these not western troops?
And who is always there to clear up the mess and sooth the pain...The Taliban and other similar organisations.

What part of we are doing irrepairable damage does this government not get? How do they not see what a mess that they are creating and how they fuel anti West sentiment's; whilst pushing the people towards the the wolf dressed in sheep's clothing. Makes me wonder sometimes................

So what is the west gaining from having a foot hole in that region...?
What is it that is so important that it's worth sacrificing innocent lives for??
Is it the natural gases found in the region?? The location with its proximity to Pakistan and Iran with their nuclear knowledge and power....or something even more sinister??
Who knows really...all we can do is speculate and even then we won't get close to the truth.

So what can we do? We can start by letting our voices be heard...letting our Governments know that their Occupation of Afghanistan and their illegal war in Pakistan cannot go on any longer. We need to let them know that we will not be silenced and this violence is not in our name. So stand up brothers and sisters...let me here you shun injustice and embrace freedom and equality.

below is a selection of pictures of some of today's speakers.

On a slightly lighter note...some how in a ditzy moment I managed to delete about 80 percent of the photos from today from my memory card...hopefully (Inshallah) I will be able to get them back and when I do I promise you will be the first to see them.
However I hope the sample that I have provided today has highlighted how many people sacrificed their Saturday to stand in the rain to oppose the troops in Afhganistan and made you stop and think about what you can do.

Good night xx
Oh yeah and excuse any typos its late

Talib Kweli and Nina Simone - Four Women

2010-11-17T18:21:00.001Z

Today's been a mad day filled with research, emails and reading. At certain moments I felt like giving up....that maybe I have bitten off more then I can chew and then I heard this track and felt inspired to work harder thinking of the struggles that sisters of colour suffer. That nothing is ever handed to us...to just take the crumbs from the table we must strive harder then others. We must endure pain and suffering to achieve our dreams. I know that it's going to be a struggle for me to complete this project...it will involve a lot of self sacrifice and hard work...but like my beautiful strong sisters before me I will rise.

LOWKEY - SOMETHING WONDERFUL (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

2010-11-17T12:53:00.002Z

Beautiful. I just had to share brother Lowkey's amazing track. As women we are struggling just to be equal and it is a amazing when a man recognises the struggles that we face on a daily basis. But we must recognise the same strength in ourselves. This song is dedicated to all my sisters struggling out there.....just keep your head up and keep aiming for your dreams. Remember my beautiful roses we are stronger and more precious than we realise.
Below are a photos that i have taken of Lowkey

OH LA LA

2010-11-16T16:30:00.000Z

A few weeks back I attended a wedding in the South of France. In a place called Abeunas in the Ardeche (definatley worth a visit, its one of my favorite plaves in France)

ON THE DRIVE INTO ABEUENAS

Needless to say attending the wedding was exciting but what made it more exciting for me is that it was a wedding of a friend and that I was doing the photography as a gift for her wedding.
Wedding gifts are difficult at the best of time so being in the postion to create meomeories that will last a lifetime to me are the best gift that I could possibly give a friend.
The wedding day is so important to a bride...doesnt matter what religion or what country rich or poor...wedding are universal, the feelings transends all boundries and differences. Needless to say I was hoping to impress and to see my friend rachida smile....not a hard task seeing as she never seems to not smile........

I was really excited as i knew i was arriving a few days before and would be apart of the preperations and pre wedding parties and to be honest i think thats what made the whole experience all the more magical for me.
Watching a family come together like that for such a joyous occasion is such a heart warming experience and getting to be a part of that in an honner. We live in a society where the family has become fragmented, bonds have thinned to the point of snapping so to see so many people laughing, loving and celebrating truely was magical. And walking away from that experience has left me feeling that my family is now a little bigger.

The funniest thing of all is that I speak very basic French and no Arabic at all...but my favorite people of all at the wedding were the older North African ladies.They couldnt speak English I can't speak Arabic yet with a few muddled words of French and Arabic combiened with hand gestures and facial expressions we got through pretty well i think. I have never received so many hugs kisses and warm smiles from such a lovely bunch of women......in fact see them for your selves....my chillout crewxx

So back to the preperations....

wow I have to say Tunisians love their sweets... I have never seen such an array of yummy colourful delights in all my life and have to guiltily admit whilst we were making goody bags for the guest to take away a few of these scrummy sweets made it into my mouth.

You can only imagine what breakfast was like with all those delicious baked delights.....now i'm making myself hungry. Yup i can resist showing you the tempations that i had to deal with.

Once the preperations were finished the partying really started ....there were two full evenings of Henna where the bride is decorated with henna while the rest of us sing dance and tell stories. It was fantastic, the house was full of laughter and music and of course plenty of sweets.

RACHIDAS HENNA

The best part of these parties was after....i've never seen so many people stay over in one house it was like the biggest and most fun sleep over with us often getting told off by Rachida and Takwa's Mum for making too much nosie and us bursting into fits of laughter. there was something innocent and pure about these few days almost as if we were all kids again. But thats maybe what fun does to you...takes you back to a time when things were simpler and the worries of the world didn't rest on your shoulders.

FAMILY DINNER

I am lucky to have a close but small family but to see such a big extended family from the cutest kids to the wisest old women reminds you how important love and unity really is. Im not painting this to be the perfect family...im sure just like with other families there are missed opportunities and distant relationships but on occassions such as weddings it's as if there is an amnesty and it's a chance to relight friendships and to create new ones.
A time to celebrate those that are there and think of those that could only be there in spirit.

Ive just realised with all my rambling about the warmth and love i felt i failed to actually show you the couple at the heart of all this positivity....the beautiful (both inside and out) Rachida and Ibrahim....

RACHIDA AND IBRAHIM

Lovely aren't they? The totally suit each other and I love the way they both make each other laugh all the time. You can see that they are close but their constant smiles show that life is never goning to get in the way about how they feel about each other. To be honest I am a bit of a pessimist and always have a downer on Love but seeing these two melted my heart and actually made me sit back and think that maybe I do have a soul mate out there but maybe he's not in a very obvious place.

The big day was majestic to say the least, Rachida was like some kind of princess with about 4/5 out fit changes...needless to say me and my camera were exsaughsted by the end of the day....actually i think i couldn't move the next day and missed my chance to quickly visit chamberry in the french Alps....thats not why i was sad..it meant missing the chance to see Hananes family....another amazing family that have shown me so much hospitality and love.

The big day started with the happy couple and their entourage leaving for the civil ceromony.

The french ceremony (The islamic one had been done the night before the party) was held in a magestic Chateaux in the centre of Abeunas...

THE RINGS

THE CEREMONY

The ceremony was foloowed by a little shoot with the Couple and family and guests.

After the Shoot we went to the after party that had us dancing until 4 in the morning...oh happy days xx

EID MUBARAK/HAPPY EID

2010-11-16T12:25:00.001Z

Salaams,

Just thought I would quickly log on to wish everyone a Happy Eid.

Its been a beautiful day so far...popped over to the University to do Eid prayers with the sisters...it was so good to see such a mix of women from all backgrounds. It's at times like this you realise the diversity of Islam and also the Unity...black brown and white praying shoulder to shoulder....its one of the only times in this age that you notice that colour means nothing. That we are all equal and one family.

Please remember today is not about presents and stuffing your faces but about bonding, unity and forgiveness. It's a day that we should remember our brothers and sisters who are suffering all over the world... and appreciate what we have. So today make sure you show your loved ones how much they mean to you and give thanks to Allah fOR everything you have.

EID MUBARAK XXXX

FREE DR AFFIA SIDDIQ

2010-11-15T00:00:00.000Z

It was a typical winters day in London today with pouring rain and a chilly wind. Not the kind of Sunday where you want to leave the comfort of your warm cosy home and venture onto the mean streets of London. But that's exactly what the supporters of Afia Saiddiq did today.

They congregated outside the Pakistani Embassy...they stood there as the rain poured down on them like tears down from heaven for Dr Affia, they still stood there when the icy winds turned their fingers numb like the devil willing them to go home. They stood there strong and defiant calling for The Pakistani Government to now release Dr Affia. Knowing that the discomfort that they felt was nothing compared to the pain and suffering this innocent sister had suffered. Feeling that somehow this act of defiance and strength would help to free a woman's whose only crime was being born Muslim.

Some of you reading this will not know the history of Dr Affia and may wonder what this post is about and why we are trying to free a woman that has been sentenced to 86 years by the American Government. You may wonder how innocent a woman can be if the American Judicial system sentenced her for so long. You may even be wondering what evil act it was that she committed to deserve such a long sentence. What if I told you it was for nothing...would that shock you? Surprise you or even intrigue you? However it makes you feel at least you are thinking of her. Below I have included an extract from Justice for Affia giving a brief overview of Affia's story.

WHO IS AAFIA SIDDIQUI?

Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, along with her three children, disappeared in Karachi in March 2003. Their whereabouts were unknown for the next five years. Throughout this time, Aafia was held without charge and abused whilst in secret detention. Former Bagram prisoners testified to the presence of a female prisoner with the number ‘650’, whose horrific screams they would hear.

Following demands for her recovery by human rights organisations and the Pakistani public, Aafia resurfaced in Afghanistan in August 2008, framed with the attempted murder of US personnel. Transferred to the US, Aafia was convicted in a shocking miscarriage of justice, despite the conflicting testimony of the soldiers and lack of evidence - no gun residue from the rifle, no trace of fingerprints on the rifle, no bullet shells in the room or bullet holes on the walls. Despite the prosecution admitting Aafia was not a member of al-Qaeda or linked to any terrorist group, she was for all intents and purposes, tried as such. She was sentenced on September 23rd to 86 years in prison.

Since her conviction, she has been denied access to phone calls, mail, and any visits, in the interests of ‘national security’. Whilst the two elder children were released in 2008 and 2010 respectively, the whereabouts of her youngest child, Suleman - only six months old at the time of the abduction - remain unknown, although it is believed that he may have been killed in US custody.

Dr Affia was originally arrested due to a family member being linked 9/11. To this day no links between Dr Affia and Al - qaeda have ever been found and she has never been tried for any crime linked to terrorism. She and her family were abducted under false pretences. One child at the time aged 6 months has never been found. Dr Affia was told that he had been murdered and our hearts scream for this to be a lie. Her 10 year old daughter was only found last year and is severely traumatised....we can only imagine what this poor child has been through...more then anything she needs her mother right now. A whole family has suffered here and is still suffering everyday that Affia is detained.

Does this sound right to you? Does this sound like justice?
On a day when the rest of London wore Poppy's and celebrated all that the soldiers have done to make this country great and safe we mourned a woman who had been let down by the world...how can we sit there celebrating freedom and equality when it is evident that it is only there for the select few.

A brother today said something that struck a major cord with me...if it could happen to Affia it could happen to any sister.
Those words sent a chill down my spine...it made sense..this woman was an educated neuroscientist, a Mother, a wife a woman no different from any other sister..trying to juggle work and what to make the kids for dinner. But look at what happened to her....is this something you could even imagine in your wildest dreams happening to you?
Could you imagine being wrenched away from your family and home...to be told your child is dead, to be beaten and raped, to be humiliated and abused. No I don't think any of us could imagine that happening to us or anyone we know. It's beyond belief, something reminiscent of a Hollywood film...but its not its true life for Affia.

So the question is what can we do? We can't turn back the hands of time and give those children back the years they missed with their mother, we can't take away the pain and the abuse. But what we can do is work together to get her home to her family where she belongs. We can never give her back the years that she lost but we can prevent her losing more.
The following is some information from the Justice for Affia

THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE...

REQUEST AAFIA’S IMMEDIATE REPATRIATION TO PAKISTAN

Eric Holder: Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001, Tel: 202-353-1555, Email: AskDoJ@usdoj.gov

Hilary Clinton: Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, N.W. Washington DC 20520, Tel: +1 202 647 4000, Fax: +1 202 261 8577, Email: questions@friendsofhillary.com

Mr. Asif Ali Zardari: President of Pakistan, President’s Secretariat, Islamabad, PAKISTAN, Email: publicmail@president.gov.pk , Tel 92-51-9204801-9214171, Fax 92-51-9207458

Mr. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Prime Minister House, Islamabad, PAKISTAN, Fax: + 92 51 9221596, Email: secretary@cabinet.gov.pk

Mr. Rehman Malik: Minister of Interior, Room No. 404, 4th Floor, R Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad, PAKISTAN, Fax: +92 51 920 2624, Tel: +92 51 99212026, E-mail: minister@interior.gov.pk, ministry.interior@gmail.com , interior.complaintcell@gmail.com

Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi: Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: +92 51 921 0335, Fax: +92 51 920 7600, Email: smhq148@hotmail.com

WRITE TO AAFIA

Aafia Siddiqui # 90279-054, MDC Brooklyn, Metropolitan Detention Center, PO Box 329002, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Letters can also be emailed to letters@justiceforaafia.org
Email a message of support to her family support@justiceforaafia.org

DONATE

With your help, JFAC hope to raise a minimum of $200,000 to finance legal defence and advocacy efforts.

BANK: Lloyds TSB Bank
ACCOUNT NAME: Justice For Aafia Coalition
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 41160960
SORT CODE: 30-94-42
IBAN: GB37LOYD30944241160960
SWIFT: LOYDGB21112

Host a ‘Bring Aafia Home’ party

Further details forthcoming

Volunteer for JFAC

ABOUT JFAC

JUSTICE FOR AAFIA COALITION (JFAC) was formed in the wake of Aafia’s conviction in February 2010 by a group of Muslim women activists in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Saudi Arabia. JFAC is an umbrella organisation which aims to unite and coordinate efforts on behalf of all concerned individuals and organisations striving for justice for Aafia and her children. Membership is open to all, irrespective of faith and location and currently spans five continents.

info@justiceforaafia.org
www.justiceforaafia.org

I haven't had the opportunity to edit the photos from today as I think I am getting a temperature after standing in the rain for 3 hours but I have included below a selection of shots taken from several Affia vigils and protests this year. I just want to say a big thank you to all the people involved in helping Dr Affia Aka Prisoner number 650, who have dedicated so much time and effort...thank you for not allowing Affia to be forgotten.
And for the rest of us...we need to get involved...this sister is all sisters..so in what ever way you can..even if it's just turning up at a demo or event please show your support for Dr Affia

THE ROAD TO HOPE CONVOY

2010-11-11T04:04:00.001Z

I know I said I was tired but I have to make an entry before bed. I am sure many of you are watching with baited breath to see what happens with the Hope to road Convoy. Here is the current update.

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/november102010/libya-ship.php

Our thoughts and prayers are with these individuals and hopefully (Inshallah) all will go well.

Watching this made me remember what happened with the Mavi Mara and the subsequent protests in London....below i have attached some shots from the Flotilla Protests