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Me, the Muslim Next Door's Suad Bushnaq out on a Montreal street canvassing for Doctors without Borders.
Photo Credit: www.rcinet.ca
Jan
So I've got to know a handful of the Muslim youth featured in Me, the Muslim Next Door, a visually delightful, intellectually satisfying online series produced by RCI (Radio-Canada International).
I've met Rizwan, the dedicated Canadian of Pakistani origin who has traveled across the country to hear the experiences of Muslim youth first hand, watched him model two very different outfits that represent both East and West. I've looked at university student Suad's wedding photos, watched her canvass for Doctors without Borders all while dealing with a few rude stares at her hijab (headscarf).
I happily entered Dania's cozy home for her all-girls 23rd birthday party. Later I met her dad and watched him talk somewhat disapprovingly of his daughter's penchant for taking off without remembering to ask for permission! But her mom, a Quebécois convert of over twenty years seemed a little bit more laid back!
Me, the Muslim Next Door profiles seven young Muslims living in Toronto and Montreal with backgrounds fully reflecting the rich diversity of ethnicity and experience of the community. In other words, it's a documentary that actually portrays Muslims in all their eclectic realities instead of the typical monolithic and negative portrayals depicted in mainstream media.
Conceptualized by Syrian-born Oussayma Canbarieh, a Montrealer who has worked as a reporter for CBC Radio, as well as a correspondent for Radio Canada International (RCI), the web series is obviously reflective of a deep sensitivity towards Muslim practice and an appreciation for the nuances that exist within both families and the community at large.
A clearly strong and capable production team directed by Hector Velar has creatively edited the stories of these young people in a visually arresting presentation that meshes photo stills, videos and well-placed graphics. The result is an appealing show that is neither boring nor monotonous in its delivery or subject matter, despite following a repetitive narrative structure throughout each profile.
The webdoc runs just under an hour and a half, and if you're like me, it makes sense to sneak in snippets over a few days rather than try to get through the entire thing at once (unless you've got the time to spare!).
The web element of the production also allows for related links, FAQ's on Islam, and mosque tours for those who don't know a whole lot about the faith or its institutions. This is what the CBC does best ”“ create positive space for people of all faiths and backgrounds to become acquainted.
This work represents one more reason why we should press our politicians to keep up their support of our national broadcaster. In this day and age where people are too busy to even say hello to their neighbours, on-screen and online is a prime place to deeply get to know one another.
Amira Elghawaby is a teacher and a former CBC-Radio associate producer who continues to freelance for the corporation.
To view the webdoc, go to: memuslim.rcinet.ca
This article was produced exclusively for Muslim Link and should not be copied without prior permission from the site. For permission, please write to info@muslimlink.ca.
