International Human Rights Art Festival Discussion: Muslim Women Speak

Dixon Place and the Institute of Prophetic Activist Art present: The International Human Rights Art Festival March 3-5, 2017 at Dixon Place. This is the first human rights art festival in the long and vibrant history of New York City’s cultural scene. The Festival is produced by Tom Block, long-time artist-activist, author of Prophetic Activist Art: Handbook for a Spiritual Revolution, and founder of the Institute of Prophetic Activist Art, an art-activist incubator housed at Dixon Place. Playwright and Director Julia Levine is the Assistant Producer.

The 2017 Festival will involve more than 70 artists presenting 40+ advocacy art events over the weekend, including theatre, visual art, music, dance, installations, workshops, panels, performance, films and KidsFest, to introduce children to the importance of art-advocacy work through hands-on activities. Join us for a weekend of art, advocacy, and celebration, with a happy hour featuring tasty human-rights themed concoctions, human rights trivia, prizes, t-shirts and much more.

About This Show

A group of Muslim women from around the world will discuss what it means to be a Muslim woman, living in America at this very particular time in our country’s history, while practicing their religion. A fascinating introduction to the everyday life of Muslim women living in the United States.

Dr. Sarah Sayeed: Senior Advisor in New York City’s Community Affairs Unit, specializing in issues related to the city’s Muslim community.

Maha Marouan:  Dr. Maha Marouan was born and grew up in Morocco and spent most of her adult life in Europe. She is Associate Professor of African American Studies and Women’s Studies at the Pennsylvania State University, focusing on the intersection of race, gender and religion in the construction of female subjectivities.

Shireen Soliman: Shireen is an Egyptian-American artist, educator and mother. With over 20+ years in the Fashion Industry, she currently teaches at Parsons the New School for Design and Pratt Institute. She also offers seminars and workshops focusing on the connection between fashion and diversity, representation, expression and identity.

Azra Khalfan is the CEO of Signs and Lucite Products and Plaques by Azra. As an American Muslim Entrepreneur, she has had many opportunities to share her point of view on various issues in the corporate world and notably her experiences as a muslim women who observes the hijab. As a leader, she shared her views on Work/Life Balance amongst leading women in NY Times Best Seller, Tory Burch: IN COLOR. Azra recently was awarded the 2016 MBE Catalyst Award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

Aya Aziz: Aya was shaped by the eclectic community of New York City. But Aya’s father, an Egyptian-American world-traveler, remained a mystery, as did her Muslim family.