{"id":4354,"date":"2022-07-21T10:11:49","date_gmt":"2022-07-21T02:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connect.muslimpro.com\/?p=4354"},"modified":"2022-07-29T12:06:15","modified_gmt":"2022-07-29T04:06:15","slug":"muslims-and-mediums-of-story-telling-with-iman-zawahry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/connect.muslimpro.com\/2022\/07\/muslims-and-mediums-of-story-telling-with-iman-zawahry\/","title":{"rendered":"Muslims and Mediums of Story Telling: Our Stories Matter with Iman Zawahry"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#b7b9c7″ custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Muslims and Mediums of Story Telling: Our Stories Matter with Iman Zawahry” subhead=”by Farida Haji & Suryani Omar” text_orientation=”center” background_overlay_color=”rgba(83,90,128,0.3)” _builder_version=”4.16.0″ title_font=”Noto Serif|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”70px” title_line_height=”1.1em” content_font=”Noto Sans||||||||” content_font_size=”18px” subhead_font=”||||||||” subhead_text_align=”center” subhead_font_size=”20px” subhead_line_height=”2em” background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/connect.muslimpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Web_Muslims-and-Mediums-of-Story-Telling-Our-Stories-Matter-with-Iman-Zawahry.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”on” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_size=”17px” button_one_text_color=”#ffffff” button_one_bg_color=”#ff6b5a” button_one_border_width=”7px” button_one_border_color=”#ff6b5a” button_one_border_radius=”100px” button_one_font=”Noto Sans|700||on|||||” button_one_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”110px||110px||true” custom_padding_tablet=”100px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”fade” animation_direction=”top” title_font_size_tablet=”40px” title_font_size_phone=”” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” subhead_font_size_tablet=”” subhead_font_size_phone=”20px” subhead_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” subhead_line_height_tablet=”” subhead_line_height_phone=”1.5em” subhead_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” button_one_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_one_border_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_border_radius_hover=”100px” button_one_bg_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_border_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_border_radius__hover=”100px” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_bg_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_cta button_url=”#TOP” _builder_version=”4.16.0″ header_font=”|700|||||||” header_font_size=”44px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”Noto Sans||||||||” body_font_size=”17px” use_background_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#ff6b5a” button_border_width=”5px” button_border_color=”#ff6b5a” button_border_radius=”100px” button_font=”Noto Sans|700||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” text_orientation=”left” background_layout=”light” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|-18px||||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” hover_enabled=”0″ header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”34px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” button_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_border_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ button_bg_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

An exclusive watch party with Iman Zawahry<\/strong><\/em> playing an episode of Little Mosque on the Prairie<\/em><\/strong> and a tete led to enriching conversations about Muslims and our mediums of storytelling.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/connect.muslimpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/LittleMosque-S1E3-still-scaled.jpg” alt=”Muslims from all walks of life in a television series” title_text=”LittleMosque-S1E3-still” _builder_version=”4.16.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_cta button_url=”#TOP” _builder_version=”4.16.0″ header_font=”|700|||||||” header_font_size=”44px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”Noto Sans||||||||” body_font_size=”17px” use_background_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#ff6b5a” button_border_width=”5px” button_border_color=”#ff6b5a” button_border_radius=”100px” button_font=”Noto Sans|700||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” text_orientation=”left” background_layout=”light” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|-18px||||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” hover_enabled=”0″ header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”34px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” button_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_border_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ button_bg_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Conversations with Iman Zawahry<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Iman Zawahry<\/a> is a proud hijabi filmmaker, who recently created an award-winning film Americanish<\/a>. A rom-com based on Muslim lives.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Little Mosque on the Prairie is a Canadian sitcom created by Zarqa Nawaz<\/a> and was broadcast from 2007 to 2012 on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Centre).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Iman was prompt at appreciating her mentor Zarqa, \u201cyou can value the show when you learn about the personality of the person who made it. A show like this shows us where we as Muslims were and where we are now. \u201c<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Discussions about the context and relevancy of the show over the past two decades resulted in understanding how it requires the entire community to create ripples and waves in the media industry. Iman mentioned, \u201cAs an American Muslim, we did not have anything like the Little Mosque, and when we see the show now, between 2007 and 2022 there are still issues that have not changed. Issues facing the Muslim community still exist. However, seeing the situation translated on screen is so amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How Did The Show Inspire You To Be Where You Are Today?<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

She passionately stated,\u201d the biggest thing is filmmaking can be done. There are so many naysayers. For me, it has been an entire life of rejection. I may be slightly dramatic. But if Zarqa did it, it can be done. I was in film school when Little Mosque on the Prairie came out.\u00a0 I was there was an audience. Being the first one is always difficult. But I know that people want to hear the story of Muslims vs non-Muslims.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Talking about familial support, Iman mentioned that she came from a family of physicians and that traditionally, within the Muslim community in the West, filmmaking was not a common route. \u201cMy family never stopped me, they were supportive, but they wanted me to be financially stable. They did not realize the activism that is going on. And it took them a very long time to come around until I made Americanish and they were like, YAY!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Talking about her award-winning rom-com, we asked Iman the relation between Comedy and Muslims to which she chuckled and answered \u201dwhen you are able to laugh, your guard gets let down. This allows you to learn. From a young age, my Muslim core group of friends used comedy to deal with uncomfortable situations. And comedy comes from trauma, and that\u2019s how we used to cope with it. \u201c<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Qalbox<\/a> is a great space for Muslims. We want our actors, actresses, artists, writers, and filmmakers, to share our stories. We want to try and dispel stereotypes about Islam and entertainment. All of Canada has watched Little Mosque. It was huge in Canada. There haven\u2019t been any comedies around. We need comedy.\u00a0 And streaming services provide a plethora of options. I think comedy is the way to go!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Our Stories Matter<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

We need more of them on our faces and tvs. Comedians such as Yasmin Elhady, Nadirah Pierre, Hoodo Hersi are some talents that we hope to see showcasing their stories.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cWe take small steps and big strides. Support the arts and continue to support who is telling these stories and we are all trying to work for the greater. It is good to tell Muslim stories!\u201d – Iman Zawahry.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

5 Reasons Why You Should Watch Little Mosque<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

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    \n
  1. It is hilarious and everyone loves a good laugh.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  2. It portrays a lived reality. Behind the laughter, it depicts the issues that Muslims in the West face from seeking spaces for women in the mosques to dealing with various stereotypes.<\/li>\n
  3. The representation of Muslims and people of color playing lead roles is delightful to watch.<\/li>\n
  4. The show paved the way for performances with minorities as the lead to be on television. Since then, we\u2019ve had more but this was the first.<\/li>\n
  5. A Good Television show. And no one can deny good shows when they see one!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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