Expressions of Muslim Women held their 4th annual show called Winds of Change at Centrepointe Studio Theatre on Dec. 10, 2011. The show exhibited artwork and performances by local Muslim women to a female audience. The new venue provided a professional space for this group of talented women to share their art with a full house of over 200 people. Proceeds went to local charities, including the Sadaqa Food Bank. The following are some of the items presented and the reactions from audience members:

I tried to write about something meaningful but all I could think about was cereal

by Aruba Mustapha

The ratio of my bowl of cereal

is about 1 part milk and 4 parts cheerios

because milk is really subsidiary to this meal

the cereal is what makes or breaks the deal

somedays its special K

and for the special days

cocoa puffs have their way

sometimes for brunch, and sometimes even for lunch

it's all about good the ol' captain crunch

But the best part of a bowl of cereal is that last bit of milk

packed with flavour

and stacked with sugar

the milk discoloured,

the sugar dissolved

your worries resolved

and the calories absolved

as you play the games

and read the quotes

strategically placed on the box of oats

they keep you company

and make you forget

the subtleties

of the breakfast table conversations that could be

your stomach can make your mind flee

but your conscience disagrees

it begs you to see

the horror of your apathy

the indifference of your stupidity

Kellogg's knows the games you like

the one's to replace your habit

of reading news

with finding clues

to keep you busy

with your gluttony

your obsession too silly

for you to see

beyond your cereal glee

so ofcourse, you write about cereal

instead of serial wars

and serial killers

or television serials

that portray material

that numb our mind

and pacify our heart

displaying vulgarity

and calling it art

television doesn't kill people

but that is where apathy starts

flashes of nudity

and violence

ignorance

in part

grants us a space

where humanity departs

our empathy succumbs

to the fine art

of sensationalized news

and dumbed down pie charts

these second long bits of information

filled with images of annihilation

bombard our senses

until each tragedy and victory becomes equal

equally immemorable

in our minds that can't easily distinguish anymore between

the implications of the death of Heath Ledger

or the death of Jack Layton

our minds that cannot retain the tragedies, one after the other

intermittently placed among the meaty gossip

of another celebrity scandal

or an old product by apple

sold with a new angle

in depth coverage of an issue

becomes too long to read

when everything is explained in a 140 character tweet

when everything is catered to instant gratification

of our senses

the truth becomes subject

to our most uneducated guesses

with a bellyful of cheerios

I scroll through the headlines

the revolutions abreast in middle east

the occupy movements on wall street

the drone killings in Pakistan

terrorist attack in Norway

raids in Gaza

and police brutality in Ottawa

with a bellyful of cereal and a mind full of sugar

it's all the same

it's all a bite of news that haunts me

until I look away, and it escapes my mind

a meaningless lull that's forgotten

a bite of news

placated by a bite of fruit loops

Winds of Change

a song by Audrey Saparno

We read an article in French class today

J’ai lu parfaitement avec un bon accent

I read an article in French class today

But I almost cried

We read an article in French class today

About Syria

A mother trying to find her son, people writing their numbers on their arms

So their bodies could be identified

How can a government shoot on their own?

How can a government shoot on their own?

But the winds of change are bound to blow, the winds of change are bound to blow.

I heard a story on the news today

About a community living in sub-standard conditions

Fresh sewage on the ground floor

Metres from where they sleep

I heard a story on the news today

About a community who live in Northern Ontario.

How can we live this way?

How can we live this way?

Sisters, we can do something.

Sisters are doing something.

‘Cause the winds of change are bound to blow,

Yes the winds of change are bound to blow,

By His will, By His will, By His will.

Hate on weight

by Baraa Arar

I have a story that needs to be told

and not matter how many copies are sold

I don’t think it will ever get too old

not too long ago

I met this incredible girl that means so much to me

one who wouldn’t let herself be

and it kills me that she'll never see

nowadays we have this little problem with girls

they think they ought to be a size zero to be a hero

people say there's no such thing as perfection

but you are my kind of perfection

and when I tell you that

you'll come up with some sort of objection

I think it's because you are too afraid of rejection

its cause you have this crazy obsession

you'll say you got to teach like bugs bunny

and you'll go spend all that money

on products so that they’ll make your skin light

but to me, it don’t matter as long as your heart shines bright

you say you have to be ten pounds lighter

if it was up to you, you'll pull an all-nighter

doing crunches and pushups on that yoga mat

but I swear to you, you won't look lovely like that

and you'll look in the mirror and say it's not enough

and your eyes will wrongly criticize  your own body

why you being so rough?

you step on the scale and the numbers start going up

trickling down  your cheek. a glistening tear. your biggest fear,

and what I am about to say I am being 100% completely sincere.

Cause if I was that number on the screen, ill want to scream

that number isn't who you are and what you’ve been

and what you’ve done, and what you’ve seen

and all the wonderful things you can achieve

if I come to you, you'll tell me to leave

cause you don’t want nobody seeing you that weak

and you'll go on with your day

but even if someone tries to say

or complements you on how you look today

I bet you that you'll take it the wrong way

but it all comes down to this

the reason cellulite, stretch marks, and wrinkles exist

is to show you that beauty exists from within

not what you wear or who you know

not the colour of your skin, or where you go

it’s the words you speak and the hardships you’ve endeared

so here it is my dear

I love you for the brightness of your heart when you're near

I love you no matter the number on the screen

I love you because you are true and real

I love you I love you for who you are and what you can be

I love you for that tint in your cheek

I love you because I know you are mine to keep

And I love you because I know I will never let the beauty in you disappear

Omg, She’s a Muslim

by Maha Tempkit

"You say she's just a girl with no voice,

a Muslim girl with no choice.

You look at her in awe,

'What is she?! She can't be one of us',

So you blindly judge without any thought

As your ignorant minds continue to rot.

Media is your food, your greed keeps growing,

You can't think right anymore,

The truth isn't worth knowing.

And as you continue thinking that life is 'all good',

That girl fights for freedom, never like you ever could.

But wait, she's a 'Moozlum', so she's got to be used to war..

You say she's a terrorist, so you make her suffer more.

You remember that time you saw a Muslim throw a wrapper on the floor,

That time a Mulsim guy forgot to kindly open a door,

So you assume that girl will treat you the same

And you only stop to notice her shame.

She's just like you, a human being.

Unbelievable right?! But you're not seeing clear...

Fear running through you as you pass her by,

You're being blinded by every lie ever told to you.

It doesn't matter if you're Christian or Jew, Atheist or Hindu

We need to stop judging others.

You need to see the true me,

You need to stop shaping faith on negativity.

Muslims aren't perfect, but neither are you.

Islam is, now what are you going to do? "

It was with utter delight that I received an invitation to witness such talent.  Last night was absolutely incredible and I felt honoured to partake.  There was such a range of talent, backed by passion, strength, and remarkable grace.  I am visually impaired, but clearly saw your beauty.  I do not know you, but felt such personal pride to be a woman.  And by the end of the evening, I wore that feeling home. Thank you so much.

-                    Linda Mitchell

This year was my third time to go.  I was really sad that I missed last year.  I attended the first year I was in Ottawa and was able to meet some people then.  And, now I find I know a lot of people and that makes me feel settled.  I think the idea of EMW is great as it is a positive thing that the Muslim Community is doing and doing it together, not just one culture at a time.  It is also a good example to set for the youth; it may give someone incentive to develop their talents.  I felt a great improvement in the organization and the quality of the performances from the first year.  Although I did not like the venue this year as compared to previous years, it proved to be advantageous in the actual running of the program, ie. the lighting and the sound system.

-                    Georgina Soliman

The concert was excellent, as it provides a forum for Muslim women to perform, who otherwise would not have the opportunity to do so.

There was a largely Arab component to the performances this year as compared to a couple years ago. In future, would like to see more from different Muslim cultures.

Musicians were all talented though. Instruments were cool.

Spoken word was definitely my favorite though. Many of the subject matters discussed in the poetry have occurred to me as well, so I identified with the authors, as I too have those same thoughts. It was comforting to know others feel the same passion, and can put it so eloquently!

- Yumna  Khanzada

I have been to the show in the past and participated in it once. Each year, there is always a new dimension added, something I learn or some new respect and admiration I find for the talents of my sisters. It is a day I am very proud to be a Muslim woman.

- Aisha Sherazi