Art has the ability to help us transcend and communicate the universal values of equality, justice and peace, says Musawah Artists Collective (MAC)'s project lead Afi Noor.
As such, Musawah (meaning "equality") - a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family - has recently launched the first online art fellowship for young Muslim women in South and Southeast Asia.
Titled Musawah Artists Collective (MAC), the organisation is now accepting applicants until Feb 25.
Afi adds that the Collective is for "young feminist artists raised in Muslim contexts" between the ages of 22 and 30 who are committed to exploring the intersections of art, feminism, and Islam.
It is open to citizens and permanent residents of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh, and applicants must be based in, and actively producing art in, their own country during the period of the programme. Selected applications will be admitted to the four-month (March - June 2024) online programme designed to amplify the voices of Muslim feminist artists.
"The four-month, non-residential, online programme is designed for artists to create new spaces and re-imagine how we can get to a world where justice for Muslim women starts with equality in the family," says Afi.
Through three streams: Documentary Film, Visual Art, and Creative Nonfiction, the artists will have the opportunity to work with a network of mentors and facilitators, such as award-winning documentary filmmaker Insia Dariwala and writer Dina Zaman, among others, to help them develop their projects.
What they produce will be used for advocacy efforts in the field of Muslim Family Law reform in diverse contexts.
“The programme is designed for artists who are looking for new spaces to re-imagine a world where justice for Muslim women is mainstreamed throughout all families and communities,” says Afi.
“Guided by Musawah's longstanding advocacy efforts, the artists will be able to engage with thought leaders and members of the movement and become part of our community," she says.
"We know that art has the power to challenge norms, provoke thought, and inspire change, and through MAC, we hope to engage younger feminists who want to understand and engage with the complex issues surrounding Muslim women's rights and Muslim family law," she adds.
Accepted artists will have access to resources, workshops, a one-on-one mentorship, and a supportive community of like-minded individuals from across the region. Through their work, artists will tackle pressing issues such as gender-based violence, child marriage and polygamy.
More info at: Musawah Artists Collective
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