After months of news coverage - it has finally been made official; it is now illegal to wear a Burqa in public in France as well as any other 'Islamic face coverings'.
At the moment it is unclear what the consequences will be if people do not adhere to this new law, or how the Muslim society will adjust to the new prohibition. I myself am left wondering what the social implication of this change will mean, not only within France but across Europe and indeed its inevitable domino effect across the globe.
On the one hand I do not think it is a big deal, for want of a better phrase, as it is acceptable within the teachings of Islam for a woman to show her face and hands in public. However, the passing of this law still makes me very uncomfortable as I believe that it is infringing upon individual rights. I live by the philosophy of 'To each his own' - every person has the right to live their lives as they please and not be judged, and surely as Europeans we all have the right to freedom? Freedom of speech, of thought, of expression? Which leads me to ask is the Burqa a form of expression? Whereby a female Muslim expresses her right to having ownership of her body and beauty?
Some may argue that it is not expression but oppression - but one key note to take from this is how alienating this law is going to be for the Muslim community, the wording of the law which as mentioned above singles out 'Islamic face coverings' will most certainly lead to an isolation of the community.
David Cameron should be ready to have a good opinion on this as he instigates his 'Big Society'.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Thursday, 16 September 2010
OxjamBrum Pakistan Floods Fundraiser
Being part of the Oxfam Outreach team for the Midlands - its events like these that excite me and further fuel my passion for charity work. I'm so amazed and appreciative at the turnout and the support that acts and audience alike showed for the aid the Birmingham Oxjam team were trying to raise.
Whilst I sadly missed out from seeing the show live due to Ramadhan commitments, the video below proves that all the acts were amazing, and it seemed like everyone had a great time too.
Here's taster of what went down:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnxERTIpZQE&feature=player_embedded#!
A similar event, but on a slightly bigger scale is going to be held in London by the o2 Academy in Islington on the 29th of this month. The £10 ticket price offers so much with Plan B headlining as well as Bobby Friction and Nihal DJ'ing with many more artists and super fly people spinning the decks.
It's such an important cause - as with most devastations like the Pakistan Floods, the charity dies down as soon as the media dies down. I'm going to do all that I can with this one to not let it happen.
Here's the link for more information and to buy tickets: http://www.o2academyislington.co.uk/event/19519/party-for-pakistan-tickets
See y'all there!
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Fall's got me coming around...
After a Summer of complacency it finally took grey skies, winds and rain tinkling on my windows for me to realise my new start is here.
New year may very well not be for another 3 months, but being a recent graduate, I'm finding it hard to shake off that student mindset and thus I am still thinking in terms of academic years.
This time of year always reminds me of new beginnings: new Autumn/Winter 'back to school' wardrobe, new playlist which gets you through the dark evening commute, new stationary, the smell of fresh paper in clean, unwritten notebooks and that eagerness and hunger of knowing that your on the cusp of learning something new, thus expanding your intellect.
So as I watch the people around me prepare and fold back into their daily lives I wonder - where does that leave me? I count myself lucky that I already have a graduate job in the sister field of where I would like to work, but the new season's got me inspired and given me reason to give myself that extra motivational push that I oh so needed to start feeling positive and get a game plan in practice.
So here's me throwing out my old notebooks and opening the cover to a brand new page:
1. To go back to being me. I've realised alot over the Summer that alot of my happiness depends upon being nice to other people because that's who I am. Period. There's no hidden agenda behind my smile, no falseness. I hate the fact that we live in a society where people question why your nice rather than why your mean. This needs to change - spreading love should be everyone's goal everyday.
2. Get inspired. To get back in touch with music and art and fashion and film because all of this things inspire me and motivate me to write. Being a writer is such a big part of who I am, I never want to lose my talent.
3. Peruse my bookshelf. Reading a great book or two is one of my alltime favourite loves and pastimes. I don't think I ever get a better feeling than being able to create a whole new world in my mind and get into someone else's head. There's loads of greats sitting on my shelf which I wanted to read throughout summer but never got the chance. I think now would be the perfect time.
4. Hold onto my dreams and do all that I can still make them come true. It's too early in life to give up, I don't think we should ever give up in what we believe in ourselves. People may make your believe that you should settle but I think we should reach until we get to the place where we think we should be.
5. Be Proactive. All of the above points mean me actually being proactive and physically doing something everyday to move myself a step forward - nothing is ever handed to you, you need to work hard and actually perspire to get self-satisfaction. I think the first realistic step in this would be for me to start blogging more on a regular basis, I've already left it far too long.
So here's to the new season, here's to my new start and here's to making it happen.
x
New year may very well not be for another 3 months, but being a recent graduate, I'm finding it hard to shake off that student mindset and thus I am still thinking in terms of academic years.
This time of year always reminds me of new beginnings: new Autumn/Winter 'back to school' wardrobe, new playlist which gets you through the dark evening commute, new stationary, the smell of fresh paper in clean, unwritten notebooks and that eagerness and hunger of knowing that your on the cusp of learning something new, thus expanding your intellect.
So as I watch the people around me prepare and fold back into their daily lives I wonder - where does that leave me? I count myself lucky that I already have a graduate job in the sister field of where I would like to work, but the new season's got me inspired and given me reason to give myself that extra motivational push that I oh so needed to start feeling positive and get a game plan in practice.
So here's me throwing out my old notebooks and opening the cover to a brand new page:
1. To go back to being me. I've realised alot over the Summer that alot of my happiness depends upon being nice to other people because that's who I am. Period. There's no hidden agenda behind my smile, no falseness. I hate the fact that we live in a society where people question why your nice rather than why your mean. This needs to change - spreading love should be everyone's goal everyday.
2. Get inspired. To get back in touch with music and art and fashion and film because all of this things inspire me and motivate me to write. Being a writer is such a big part of who I am, I never want to lose my talent.
3. Peruse my bookshelf. Reading a great book or two is one of my alltime favourite loves and pastimes. I don't think I ever get a better feeling than being able to create a whole new world in my mind and get into someone else's head. There's loads of greats sitting on my shelf which I wanted to read throughout summer but never got the chance. I think now would be the perfect time.
4. Hold onto my dreams and do all that I can still make them come true. It's too early in life to give up, I don't think we should ever give up in what we believe in ourselves. People may make your believe that you should settle but I think we should reach until we get to the place where we think we should be.
5. Be Proactive. All of the above points mean me actually being proactive and physically doing something everyday to move myself a step forward - nothing is ever handed to you, you need to work hard and actually perspire to get self-satisfaction. I think the first realistic step in this would be for me to start blogging more on a regular basis, I've already left it far too long.
So here's to the new season, here's to my new start and here's to making it happen.
x
Sunday, 20 June 2010
United Visual Artists
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to the UVA. A spectrum of intellect and creativity that exceeds beyond any realistic vizualisation seen before.
Mixing the ethics of architecture with responsive installation, the British based team have managed to platform themselves on a global scale having successfully worked with the likes of Massive Attack and Virgin Media.
The dynamic collective have created their own software which archs human sense and interaction for a form of live art which is truly unique - as it can only function at its best when it involves audience participation. This is what I love most about their work - how it involves the audience, relies on them for it to work and be shown at its best.
The collective of visionaries headed by the Creative Director Matt Clark gives a true insight to the new wave of modern art that has been born in 2010 - creating what no one has achieved before.
However, writing about the UVA and its superb talent isn't enough, their art is one which needs to be seen to be truly appreciated.
Check out their independant website below:
http://www.uva.co.uk/
I leave you with a picture of one of my favourite peices of their work:
This is the visionary that first drew me to the UVA and made me fall in love with their work: I simply love how their use of something as simple as light is able to create the illusion of a boundary, a barrier, a non-existant wall between runway and audience which at the same time looks to the eye so real and is able to create such a mindful impact. Truly stunning.
Mixing the ethics of architecture with responsive installation, the British based team have managed to platform themselves on a global scale having successfully worked with the likes of Massive Attack and Virgin Media.
The dynamic collective have created their own software which archs human sense and interaction for a form of live art which is truly unique - as it can only function at its best when it involves audience participation. This is what I love most about their work - how it involves the audience, relies on them for it to work and be shown at its best.
The collective of visionaries headed by the Creative Director Matt Clark gives a true insight to the new wave of modern art that has been born in 2010 - creating what no one has achieved before.
However, writing about the UVA and its superb talent isn't enough, their art is one which needs to be seen to be truly appreciated.
Check out their independant website below:
http://www.uva.co.uk/
I leave you with a picture of one of my favourite peices of their work:
This is the visionary that first drew me to the UVA and made me fall in love with their work: I simply love how their use of something as simple as light is able to create the illusion of a boundary, a barrier, a non-existant wall between runway and audience which at the same time looks to the eye so real and is able to create such a mindful impact. Truly stunning.
Friday, 30 April 2010
The Leaders have spoken - now what's YOUR next move?
7 days. 3 choices. 1 election. And it's all in your hands - the political arena has been left open for you to enter and decide who do you want to be your representative for the next 5 years? Who you you entrust to make the right decisions and lead Britain in the right way?
After the last of the historical debates, hosted by the BBC in my hometown have come to a close, the future leaders of our country have given their opinions and debated on the final important issues which may sway the voters in their decision before reaching the almighty ballot box on the 6th of May.
A staggering 7.5 million people tuned into the final debate - a victory in comparison to Sky's 4 million viewers last week - with the theme of the final debate being the Economy, perhaps each of the leaders opinions on this issue were the deciding factor which resigned the public to a choice.
The polls have Cameron racing far ahead as the finish line is now in sight, whilst Brown trails in last - but should Cameron be so smugly confident? After all, Brown could cut in at the final second, and we Brits do love an underdog, and with the charming Tony Blair on the campaign trail from today with Brown - are Labour back in the game? It certainly seems as though all tactics are being used and all games are being played in the fight for them to become out next Parliamentary Leader.
However, lets not forget our third choice - the Liberal Democrats lead by Nick Clegg. These debates have been much more of a success for him than even he could have hoped for, a platform and a certain captive audience for 90 minutes over the last 3 weeks have meant that Clegg's succession rate have been similar to that of a journalist, 'Who's Nick Clegg? Let's try Nick Clegg, GET ME NICK CLEGG!'. Many would argue that the Lib Dems have less to play for as they have never won an election, however, having been placed so highly on a pedestal the fall if they do not win will certainly sting to say the least.
One important point to note, however, is that the majority of young voters love the Lib Dems - the BBC's decision to hold the Leaders Debate in the University of Birmingham was certainly an easy platform to prove this - of the mix of students I was able to interview most were eager to vote for Nick and his team. Could the BBC have anything to do with this? Bringing politics to the doorstep of voters who are known for their furore and activism may have started a movement, an excitement that will spread and not only encourage the apathetic to vote but to also feel powerful enough to make a change, to collectively use the power that has been given to us and ensure that we use this wisely so our country is run in the way that we want. After all, as one questioner said on the Debate last night, we should not be ignored.
I have decided, I have made my choice. Those of you who are yet undecided - you have one week to decide. I hope the 7th of May brings no regrets.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Sky Leaders Debate
So I was at the Sky Leaders Debate last thursday in Bristol - I was part of the Elite Team helping out in various ways making sure that the debate was a success, which I think it was!
I was in the spin room whilst the debate was happening and afterwards - I have to tell you, the atmosphere was electric!! And I was in heaven (or my own version at least) as I was surrounded by the movers and shakers of politics and journalism.
The memory is definately one that i'll keep forever - more excitingly though, I'll be doing it all again from tomorrow for the last leaders debate that will be hosted by the BBC.
I'll try and get some inside goss for you all,
xoxo
I was in the spin room whilst the debate was happening and afterwards - I have to tell you, the atmosphere was electric!! And I was in heaven (or my own version at least) as I was surrounded by the movers and shakers of politics and journalism.
The memory is definately one that i'll keep forever - more excitingly though, I'll be doing it all again from tomorrow for the last leaders debate that will be hosted by the BBC.
I'll try and get some inside goss for you all,
xoxo
I LOVE THIS!
Hi guys!
Sorry about the massive absence from here: life has been going at 100mph for me lately! Just a quick post to say, I'm loving this song!
I'm a bit sceptical towards actresses turned singers trying to conquer the world, but hey its catchy, check it out and let me what you think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv4san1xIi0
xoxo
Sorry about the massive absence from here: life has been going at 100mph for me lately! Just a quick post to say, I'm loving this song!
I'm a bit sceptical towards actresses turned singers trying to conquer the world, but hey its catchy, check it out and let me what you think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv4san1xIi0
xoxo
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