Latest news with #Sadia
The National
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Glasgow exhibition showcases untold asylum seekers stories
Curated by Refugee Festival Scotland ambassador Sadia Sikandar, Unwritten Milestones: The Silent Talent Trapped in Limbo, will showcase seven black and white portraits each depicting an untold story of both struggle and resilience. The exhibition takes place in Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art from June 13 – 15 and will feature Sadia herself as she reflects on her own six-year experience in the asylum system. 'I endured inhumane conditions and trauma during those years. It felt like sacrificing my self-respect and honour,' she explained. READ MORE: BBC issues statement after staff 'held at gunpoint and strip searched ' by IDF Sikandar added: 'My aim with this exhibition is to reflect the individual journeys of asylum seekers and the profound impact of the UK asylum backlog on people's mental health, really capturing the reality of those navigating a system that often leaves them in limbo.' Despite being an award-winning teacher and international artist, Sikandar could not work while awaiting the resolution of her asylum case. Instead, she has devoted herself to volunteering in the arts sector, in universities, and even advocating for asylum seekers' rights at the UK Parliament. Unwritten Milestones aims to expose the continued hardships faced by asylum seekers and reflects on the missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams of those trapped in the system while also offering them a platform to share their stories. Sadia (below) collaborated with organisations such as Scottish Refugee Council and Together Reaching Higher to find participants whose stories would be featured, witn each of the seven portraits telling a personal story. (Image: Sadia Sikandar) 'Photography and storytelling allow the community to open up in a unique and artistic way,' Sadia said. 'I hope it encourages the audience to think about how they can care for and welcome those who have been ignored. 'While others celebrate milestones, many asylum seekers cannot achieve their goals due to the limitations placed on them so it's also important for me to share my voice to raise awareness: every asylum seeker should have the right to work.' Sadia added that she hopes the exhibition serves not only as a call to action for policy reform but also as a bridge for understanding. She said by facilitating connections among participants and offering them emotional support, she is creating a sense of community and empowerment. 'Many people involved in the project feel seen and heard for the first time,' Sadia said. 'This project gives them confidence, makes them feel less alone, and helps them find new connections.' (Image: Sadia Sikandar) Refugee Festival Scotland is celebrating its 25th year of promoting and commemorating art, culture and community. The festival also marks the 40th anniversary of the Scottish Refugee Council, a national charity which supports thousands of men, women and children every year as they rebuild their lives in Scotland. Sadia is one of six Refugee Festival Scotland ambassadors, a group of spokespeople for the Festival, who share their experience to help build understanding about what it means to be a refugee in Scotland. She is also shortlisted in the Refugee Festival Scotland Media Awards 2025. The exhibition is a milestone in itself for Sadia and the participants – one unwritten, until now. It is one of more than 150 events taking place across Scotland, most of which are free to attend, and involving artists and performers from more than 30 countries. Unwritten Milestones: The Silent Talent Trapped in Limbo will also be available to view at Refuweegee on Saturday 21 June in collaboration with Refuweegee, The Voice Network and Scottish Intercultural Association.
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Dayaks urged to celebrate Gawai with gratitude, not excessive spending
The 'Pekit Kumang' winners pose for a group photo alongside members of the organising committee.- Ukas photo BINTULU (May 25): The Dayak community should celebrate the upcoming Gawai Dayak festival with gratitude and simplicity, avoiding excessive spending that could become a financial burden, said Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai. Speaking when officiating at the Bintulu Division-level Pre-Gawai Dayak 2025 celebration at a local restaurant yesterday, Sikie emphasised the importance of financial stability after the holidays, especially for families with school-going children or university students who will need funds for education expenses. 'I understand that celebrating Gawai is a joyous occasion for everyone involved. However, I strongly encourage a modest celebration, especially for those with school-going children or those in university who will need funds for education expenses after the Gawai break,' he was quoted as saying in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit report. Sikie, who is Kakus assemblyman, also encouraged the community to use the festive season as an opportunity to reunite with relatives and friends, particularly those living in urban areas. 'After this Pre-Gawai celebration, many will return to their longhouses to celebrate Gawai Dayak properly in their hometowns,' he added. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of unity and future planning among the Dayak community, especially those returning to their longhouses during Gawai. 'For those living in towns like Bintulu, this is the time to reconnect with family. I urge everyone, whether returning home or staying in the longhouse, to come together and plan for their community's development,' he said. The event was jointly organised by four major associations namely the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia), Orang Ulu National Association (Ouna), Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), and Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS). To show appreciation for the organisers' efforts, Sikie announced a RM30,000 contribution to the organising committee. Additionally, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Dato Majang Renggi also contributed RM20,000. The event was further enlivened by the 'Pekit Kumang' contest in conjunction with Pre-Gawai Dayak 2025. Delfina Damun Kiran was crowned 'Kumang', taking home RM3,000 along with a crown, a sash, a trophy, finger flowers, and a participation certificate. Second place ('Lulong') went to Amyder Mikey Drake, who received RM2,500, while Zeona Deour Jacob came in third ('Selinggar Matahari') receiving RM2,000, along with other prizes. Dayak community Gawai Dayak John Sikie Tayai lead
Gulf Today
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Sacred script, spiritual art: Sadia Fahad's therapeutic calligraphy
UAE-based Pakistani visual artist Sadia Fahad blends Arabic calligraphy and abstract expression. She has developed a personal style that weaves together sacred texts, emotion-evoking brushwork and vibrant palettes, rooted in spiritual and cultural symbolism and her own meditations. Her art practice centres around the transformative power of words — particularly verses from the Holy Qur'an. She reinterprets traditional calligraphy through contemporary techniques, using colour - earthy greens, golds, and muted tones, among others – and form and rhythm to invoke introspection and connection. She is particularly proud of Woman of Resilience, a deeply personal artwork that departs from her usual focus on calligraphy. 'This painting celebrates the strength, courage, and silent power of women in our society,' Sadia says. 'With her head raised and eyes closed in quiet determination, the figure represents every woman's journey through struggle, healing, and self-worth. It is my tribute to the inner battles women fight daily, often unseen, yet fiercely transformative.' Woman of Resilience. Having lived in the UAE for over a decade, her work also draws inspiration from the region's rich Islamic heritage and architectural beauty. Sadia's paintings have been exhibited in various galleries and wellness initiatives in the UAE. She also conducts workshops and private sessions, using art as a medium of healing, self-expression and cultural dialogue. She speaks to Gulf Today Why does calligraphy attract you? My connection to calligraphy began in childhood. The first painting I created, back in Pakistan when I was just in Grade 9, was of the name 'Allah', done on a multicoloured background. At the time, I didn't know much about art or calligraphy - but something in me was drawn to expressing divine names visually. Years later, in 2017, when I began painting again in the UAE, the first expression my brush formed was 'Alhamdulillah', again in vibrant, rainbow-inspired hues. It felt like coming full circle. Calligraphy, for me, is a form of remembrance, gratitude, and emotional healing — it is where my art and my faith truly meet. Why do you choose abstract expressionism to complement the realism of calligraphy? Calligraphy has structure, rhythm, and sacred meaning. Abstract expressionism allows me to break those boundaries and add emotional and spiritual dimensions to the words. The freedom of abstraction allows colours, forms and textures to dance around the calligraphic text. The contrast brings balance, as emotion meets structure. What are the qualities needed to be a good calligrapher? Discipline, patience, and spiritual connection are essential. A good calligrapher isn't just someone who writes well — it's someone who understands the depth and meaning behind the words. It's also important to constantly learn, observe, and refine your aesthetic sensitivity. Precision comes with practice, but soul comes from intent. Calligraphy rises in waves. Why is colour a great medium for calligraphy? Colour adds emotion to meaning. While Arabic calligraphy carries powerful textual beauty, colour elevates its emotional resonance. Colour creates rhythm and mood. It transforms a script into an experience. Who are the Calligraphy Masters you look up to? I deeply admire Sadequain and Ismail Gulgee, legendary Pakistani artists, who redefined the use of calligraphy in modern art. Their boldness and spiritual insights continue to inspire me. From the UAE, Diaa Alam stands out for his contemporary public art and innovative calligraphic style. These artists remind me that calligraphy is timeless — it evolves while holding onto its essence. Is it correct to say there are no women master calligraphers? Absolutely not. While historically women may have had fewer platforms in traditional calligraphy, it is changing. Many women around the world are now mastering the art and bringing unique perspectives to it. When women engage with calligraphy, they bring a new softness and power to the form. I see myself as part of this evolving narrative. What makes women subjects of art for you? The women I paint are symbols of strength, resilience, and silent power. I believe every woman is born with invisible wings - wings of determination, self-belief, and devotion. We just need to trust those wings and spread them, and they will lift us above life's challenges. In my piece Woman of Resilience, she stands tall with her head lifted and eyes closed in peace — representing the spiritual grace and inner strength that so many women carry. My work celebrates this resilience, not as an ideal, but as a lived reality. Sadia Fahad is based in the UAE. How is art linked to wellness? How are you connected to wellness as an artist? Art is a meditative, healing space. It allows us to process emotions, express what words can't, and reconnect with our inner selves. As an artist, I've experienced this healing power firsthand. When I paint, especially divine names or verses, I feel a sense of alignment and peace. It grounds me, helps me cope, and uplifts my spirit. Through workshops and community art sessions, I've also seen how art can bring wellness to others. It becomes therapy, a language of emotional release, and a way to reconnect with faith and purpose. How have Pakistan and the UAE impacted you as an artist? Pakistan gave me my first connection to calligraphy and an inspiration rooted in culture and spirituality. The UAE, on the other hand, gave me space to explore, grow, and express myself freely. Pakistan is where my artistic soul was born, and the UAE is where it blossomed fully. Together, they form the dual heartbeat of my creative journey. Both places are deeply embedded in my identity.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Pahalgam attack fallout: Visas cancelled, farewells and tears on both sides of Attari border post
Holding her 18-month-old son tightly to her chest, Farheen sobs bitterly. ' Uttar ja beta, uttar ja,' says her mother-in-law, Sadia, from inside the autorickshaw that has brought the family to the Attari-Wagah border, from where Farheen will leave her child and relatives behind and walk across the border to Pakistan. Since April 25, the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari has witnessed scenes of heartbreak and farewells as Pakistan nationals, many of whom have lived in India for years, leave their families behind to cross over to the other side. Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, India has taken a series of measures to ratchet up pressure on Pakistan — putting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on hold, downgrading diplomatic ties and shutting the Attari-Wagah border. It has also cancelled all short-term and special visas to Pakistan nationals. Islamabad responded by suspending visas issued to Indian nationals. However, long-term visas — usually valid for one to five years and issued by India to Pakistan and Bangladesh nationals who have close relatives holding Indian citizenship — have not been revoked. So far, 787 Pakistan nationals have gone across the border through the Attari ICP since the curbs came into effect on April 25. Officials said around 1,560 people — both Indian nationals and Pakistanis on long-term visas — too have walked across the border to India. An Indian citizen upon her return from Pakistan at the check post. (PTI) Amid this exchange of people, tearful goodbyes echo at the border gates, with women clutching their children and families pleading for more time. Autos and luggage line the entry points, while security personnel maintain a strict presence. The atmosphere is heavy with uncertainty as families such as Farheen's, torn apart by paperwork and the border, struggle to come to terms with the sudden separation. Two years ago, Farheen, a Pakistan national, married Imran, from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, and has been in India ever since on a regular visa. She says, 'My child has an Indian passport. The Pakistan government won't let him in and the Indian government won't let me stay here. Governments should at least have mercy on small children. They should be allowed to accompany their parents. How can children be a threat to anyone?' As her sister-in-law wrenches the baby from Farheen's lap, both the mother and the child cry uncontrollably. 'Take care of him,' says Farheen before walking over to join the others in the queue waiting to cross the Zero Line. 'We had applied for a long-term visa for Farheen. Though there are always issues with paperwork in marriages that take place across the border, we were never prepared for something like this. How will the baby stay without his mother,' says Farheen's mother-in-law, wiping her tears. Barriers at the Attari Integrated Check Post, a day after India announced its closure. (Express photo by Rana Simranjit Singh) Also at the checkpost is Ira, a Pakistan national who has lived in Delhi for the last 10 years since her marriage. After her long-term visa expired during the Covid pandemic, she had to leave India and it was only earlier this month that she got a five-year visa to join her husband and child in Delhi. 'I was so happy to meet my child again, but now I am going back. What happened in Pahalgam is wrong. How can anyone justify something like that? By all means, punish those who carry out such crimes. It is also okay to ask those on business or special visas to leave. But governments must think about people like us who have families across the border.' A few metres away, Sameera, a Pakistan national from Karachi, sits with her husband Rizwan at a dhaba, minutes before heading to the check post at Attari. Sameera, who came to India in September last year to meet her uncle's family and married Rizwan soon after, is now pregnant. 'At least those with relatives here should have been allowed to stay,' she says through tears. The Integrated Check Post at Attari border. Rizwan says, 'She has been crying ever since we received the call that she will have to go back to Pakistan. She is pregnant. The situation is not good for her. The government should have thought about such cases before issuing a blanket order for all citizens to leave.' Also at the ICP are Indian nationals and Pakistanis on long-term-visas who have crossed over from Pakistan. Anxiously waiting for her brother and his wife at the ICP gate, Rubina says, 'My brother and his two children are Indian citizens, but his wife is a Pakistani national. They had gone to visit her family when the terror attack happened. Pakistan authorities are not allowing her to come to India and my brother doesn't want to come without her. Let's see what happens,' says Rubina. Among the few happy faces is that of Sarita Jaisrani, a Pakistani national who has a long-term visa for India. 'I am really happy they allowed me to enter India. I have a Pakistani passport, but my children are Indian and my husband and in-laws are here. I am thankful to both the governments,' says Sarita, who had gone with her children to Pakistan to visit her maternal family.
