Statements to Read/Project on the Screen

Starting slide (will be read but not counted among the first seven statements): “Yasmin is a 22-year old working woman who is single and lives with her parents.”

1. Today I come home from work and my mother tells me someone pulled her headscarf off and told her she didn’t belong in this country. I feel hurt and angry
2. I go to work after the terrorist bombing incident and my colleagues are talking about this. When I enter the room, they all become silent. I feel confused.
3. When I hear the news on television, I understand that they blame my parents’ country for this bombing incident and are now going to bomb the city my parents come from. I feel very angry and feel there is no justice.
4. I have been thinking about wearing a hijab and choose to wear it because it is the right time for me. I notice the looks of hatred I get when I walk down the street. I feel isolated and that I don’t belong.
5. I go online and start chatting with other people who are like me and feel they, as well as Muslims across the world, are being victimised. I feel anger at the oppression Muslims are facing.
6. My parents tell me that they don’t want me to wear a hijab as it is not safe. They also tell me that I spend too much time in my own room and don’t talk to them. I feel they don’t accept me and don’t know me any longer.
7. I talk to a girl who is in Syria and is married to one of the ‘freedom fighters’. I begin to think that I want to do the same. I feel frightened and feel I’m losing control over my life.

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1. My mother comes home and tells me her hijab was pulled off, but a few people who were there at the time helped her and called the police. I feel proud of the community!
2. After the terrorist bombing incident in my country, I go to work and my colleagues who were talking about it become silent. Later on, I talk about the issue at lunch and explain how the people who carried out the bombings are not accepted as Muslims and they are criminals. I feel listened to and accepted!
3. I hear the news and find out they are planning to bomb my parents’ country for the bombing incident. I organise a petition and get thousands of people to sign it, including people at work. I feel I am helping to make a difference!
4. I decide to wear the headscarf and before I do this I start discussing this with my family, friends and colleagues. I also start a small campaign called ‘see me, not my headscarf’. I feel empowered and in control of my life!
5. I go online and start chatting and hear that Muslims across the world are being victimised. I speak to my family and friends and get a more balanced view and understand that all communities have oppressors and victims. It is a human rights issue. I feel more informed about the complexity of situations!
6. A local NGO has decided to tackle the problem of increasing segregation between Muslims and non-Muslims. They organise an environmental project to bring all communities together. I feel part of my community and involved!
7. I hear how ISIS is recruiting young women and I find out real stories about how these women are mistreated and oppressed and let other young women know. I create a safe environment for young women to discuss these issues. I feel I am making a difference to the lives of others!