Tasneem
“I find Muslim women to be the strongest out there. We face battling stereotypes everyday. As women we are already seen in a different lens and on top of that, we are of colour, and visibly different with our dressing. When we can push our way through all of that and do the same things everyone else can - it's no small feat!” Tasneem is a 28 year old Digital Marketing Specialist who graduated with a degree in women and gender studies. Her hobbies are important to her, she loves to craft, DIY, travel and do home decor. Coincidentally, her favourite quality about herself is her creativity. She transformed her den into a craft room in dedication to her creative side. She told me she can never stay still, she is always looking for a new project to start or a new place to travel to. When I asked Tasneem what she thinks the biggest stereotype of a muslim woman is she responded, “Muslim women are seen as 1950s western women. We are behind, stuck in another century or era where we follow what men (fathers, brothers, husbands) say, don't have passions or dreams we want to follow and that we live to serve. This might be affected also with a bit of culture!”
Q&A Feature
Where is your favourite place to find yourself?
"In a local coffee shop or an airport (where adventure-awaits!)"
What is the best quality in someone else?
"Empathy"
What is one thing you know for sure?
"Alhamdulillah, I am great at what I do - in the most humble way possible!"
Why did you choose the location you did for the photoshoot?
"I chose my home. I love this place, it's my first home with my husband and it reflects exactly who I am. I was so excited to finally have a whole place I could design myself and although it's been a year since I moved here, it's still not complete - I don't think it ever will be. My home exudes who I am not only in the decor, but the different spaces and practicalities I've created within it, which show my creative side. I have the den dedicated to my creative side with a whole craft room. Each room has a different decor style even though it's one large space. I love coming home after work - it's the one place where I can stay still."
