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Never Wear Red Nail Polish When Visiting Your Conservative Muslim Mother - Zarqa Nawaz

Zarqa NawazIslam is the fastest growing religion in the world. In North America, a large number of converts are women. Many are drawn to the religion because of its emphasis on social justice and spiritual equality between the sexes.

The film maker Zarqa Nawaz has portrayed herself as trying to break stereotypes within the Western Media. She has described the goal of her production company, FUNdamentalism Films as “putting the ‘fun’ back into fundamentalism.” In this lecture she draws on her own experiences to introduce us to some of the serious (and at times seriously funny) discussions that are taking place.

A Canadian woman of Muslim faith, Zarqa was born in Liverpool, England, and raised in the Toronto area. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Toronto and a second degree, in journalism, at Ryerson. She worked with CBC Radio, CBC Newsworld, CBC Television’s The National and CTV’s Canada Am and was an associate producer of several CBC Radio programs including Morningside. Her 1991 radio documentary The Changing Rituals of Death won multiple awards at Ontario Telefest Awards.

The Teresa Dease Lecture was endowed by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loretto Sisters). Ms. Nawaz will deliver this same talk on October 1 2010, at St. Jerome’s in Waterloo.

For more information: 416.488.2388; ibmvadm [at] rogers [dot] com