Television is a good way to meet old friends. Last night there was an item from Bristol in which an artist we used to know, Toni Robinson, brought together Muslim and white nominally Christian youngsters to talk to each other about their lives, beliefs and aspirations. As they got to know each other better, they were helped to paint self portraits which will go on exhibition in Bristol. The project is called, Knowing Me, Knowing You.
The lack of contact between communities like these living side by side but apart is a huge social problem so more projects like this should be encouraged. The ignorance of the general population to real Islamic values, beliefs and aspirations is almost total, so they never see beyond the media stories they see. Name-calling on the streets is one symptom, something that every Muslim has to live with here. Where people from different cultures meet and befriend one another, this ignorance disappears and respect grows.
©Stephen Bigger 2008
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