Winds of Change: Cinema from Muslim societies

London’s Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), in collaboration with the academic publication “Third Text,” presented “Winds of Change: Cinema from Muslim Societies,” a series of talks and Islamic films.
The program took place between Sept. 21 - 25 at the ICA in London. It included two panel discussions and eight films pertaining to Islam in the context of social, national and regional politics. The event did not uphold any inherently Islamic themes, but rather connected the current political situation in the Arab world to questions regarding media definitions, colonial histories, post-colonial theory, gender and Islam’s own politics.
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Modernist Islamic Architecture: Toward preserving a migrant past

MakeSpace Architects is a London-based firm whose work specializes in private and social housing, as well as community buildings.  Much of the community work focuses on the development of mosques and Islamic centers.  Besided designing and building the structures, MakeSpace aspire to develop a new architectural language based on what indigenous, British Islamic architecture, in their eyes, should be. 

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Jameel Prize 2011

The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London has been home to a vast collection of Islamic art for more than 150 years.  Today, the Museum has taken a step beyond simply showcasing it, they have joined efforts with the Abdulatif Jameel Group's Community Initiative to highlight and encourage work inspired by the faith.  The Jameel Prize is a biennial award recognizing the use of Islamic design and art technique in contemporary work.

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Bidoun Library: London edition

The Bidoun Library, a project by the nonprofit Middle Eastern culture magazine, Bidoun, is a travelling collection of books that has been installed in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, New York City, Cairo, Beirut, and now, London.  

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In Conversation with Nawal El Saadawi

It was a great honour to be able to meet and speak with the writer and activist, Nawal El Saadawi. 

In her 50 years of writing and being vocal, Nawal El Saadawi has been referred to as a feminist, an activist, an educator, a traitor and a blaspheme, among many other things.  Yet this trail of references can only reflect the impact that her work, her fights and her outspoken opinions have had on people.

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