WUNRN
IRELAND - HIJAB MONOLOGUES -
STORIES & DRAMA OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN IRELAND - BEYOND STEREOTYPES
26 November 2012
Ireland Invited to Look
Beyond the Hijab
The Story of Ireland's Muslim Women Takes to the Stage
Statement by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the British Council and
Axis Theatre Ballymun
Drama is to be used to break down stereotypes and assumptions around Muslim women in Ireland with the staging of the 'Hijabi Monologues' in Dublin's Axis Theatre in the New Year.
Women are being invited to submit personal and true stories for the production, which is being co-hosted by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the British Council and Axis Theatre, Ballymun and will focus on the lives of Muslim women in Ireland.
The Dublin performance is a licensed production
of the 'Hijabi Monologues', which has been touring in the United States to
critical acclaim and great success for the past six years.
Speaking at the call out for stories, Denise Charlton, CEO of the Immigrant
Council of Ireland said:
"Over 49,000 Muslims now call Ireland home. They are playing a positive
role in our society and are active in every part of Irish life. The aim of this
production is to reflect that reality and to breakdown misconceptions which
people may have about the Muslim community.
Through the 'Hijabi Monologues' we want to shift the focus away from the
headscarf and instead focus on the women who make up the diverse Irish Muslim
community. We will reflect their wide-ranging views on faith, education, class,
Irish life and many other areas.
We are now asking women, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, those who wear the hijab
and those who do not to come forward and tell us their stories, we would
encourage them to contact us at the Immigrant Council www.immigrantcouncil.ie if they would
like to submit their story. We believe they will offer experiences which women
of other faiths and of no faith will relate to.
It is these experiences which will define 'Hijabi Monologues' in Ireland and
hopefully provide a platform for Ireland to explore issues which have caused
division and conflict in other parts of Europe."
Liz McBain of the British Council commented:
"The British Council is delighted to be associated with the development of
an Irish version of the 'Hijabi Monologues'. Our mission is to build trust and
understanding between people in the UK and other countries. We value diversity
and believe that it is of vital importance to maintain an open dialogue between
people of different communities. The 'Hijabi Monologues' is an excellent
mechanism for opening people's eyes, ears and minds. It helps us to see beyond
the stereotypes and clichés and to value people for who they are, not what they
look like.
We are proud to have brought 'Hijabi Monologues' to Ireland and to be
developing it further with the Immigrant Council of Ireland. We are especially
pleased to help make connections between community groups and arts
organisations in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK."
Niamh Ni Chonchubhair of Axis Theatre, Ballymun added:
"Storytelling is one of our richest traditions, one we share with many
communities and one that is a major strand of our programme. Axis is delighted
to be staging 'The Hijabi Monologues' with the Immigrant Council of Ireland and
to be celebrating these unique voices as part of a new, shared tradition."
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The 'Hijab Monologues' is about the power of storytelling. It is about creating
a space for Muslim women to share experiences; a space to breathe as they are;
a space that does not claim to tell every story and speak for every voice.
To submit a story, please contact Jen at communications@immigrantcouncil.ie or call 00353 1 645 8160