Yes, it has been a while since I have last written my blog but I have been busy with family commitments, teaching and other creative
projects. I do apologise for my long absence but if you don’t hear from me for
some time then you know I am working on something! Lol!
So much has happened over the last few months that I would
like to share it with everyone. Remember Brightside’? My short documentary?
Well? it has won a number of awards from film festivals around the world!
Just to mention a few, The Impact Documentary Award
based in San Diego, California, awarded Brightside the short documentary award
a few months ago. Apart from that the International Film Festival for Women,
Social Issues and Zero Discrimination based in Indonesia also awarded ‘Brightside’
with International Short Documentary award for 2016. Yippee! The Indonesian
film festival was a huge success for us with more than two hundred media
articles, Radio interviews and TV News covering the event. The festival was
also attended by two women government ministers who presented awards during the
ceremony. It was a proud moment for both me, my co-producer Clair Haynes and my
film crew. Yes, without my film crew ‘Brightside’ could not have been possible.
As a result of winning these film awards a number of
TV shows have shown interest in airing ‘Brightside’ on their channels. I’ll
keep you posted as and when that happens ):
Phew! If that was not enough I have been busy with
teaching. I am proud to say my refugee class has been increasing over the year.
It has been really rewarding teaching
these students. Sigh! What many people fail to understand is how many of these people
are suffering and at the mercy of charities to help them out. Unlike the media
coverage of refugees, very few of these people are receiving benefits or
handouts. Working with a charitable organisation, I have seen first- hand the difficulties
they are facing in just trying to help the most vulnerable and needy. Most of them
are not just working with refugees but they are also helping out with the
homeless and most helpless in the UK. I cannot tell you how in awe I am of these
organisations who help the less fortunate.
I am actually embarrassed to say this but last month I
was awarded Star Volunteer Tutor by Leicester City Council. It was a pleasant
surprise for me but this is nothing compared to my students who attend my
lessons. They are the real stars behind my teaching.
Before I go it is our fasting month. This is month of tolerance,
patience, forgiveness and mercy. Any Muslim who fasts will try to strive to
meet these qualities This is a month when Muslims are trying to get closer to
God which means praying and carrying out good deeds. For anyone to carry out
horrific acts in the name of Allah is wasting their time and effort. I hope and
pray people can look past the isolated terrorist attacks that sometimes occurs
in the name of Islam and see the peaceful loving religion for what it is, and its 1.6 billion
followers who are striving to be better people.
Belated Ramadan Mubarak and & Eid Mubarak everyone!
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