Here is a story of a young Muslim girl Fareeha Tadim, who is fighting prejudice and patriarchy with every punch.
Fareeha is a 14year -old Muslim schoolgirl in India who dreams to be Wushu Warrior. Wushu is a Chinese martial art. But, Her family do not support her dream completely.
Fareeha's school started teaching Chinese martial art to the girls as a part of self-defence.
She is learning this art with passion and has won gold at a state championship. Now she wants to win a national tournament.
Fareeha's Mother believes, as per Islam women should stay at home. She is fine with her daughter learning a martial art for self -defence, but she doesn't like her daughter exhibits her skills in public.
Fareeha believes this is her chance to show her strength and independence and says she’ll be devastated if she can’t compete at the upcoming tournament. She says with martial arts she had learnt to stand up for herself. She believes the girls are equally capable of doing things as the boys.
The young girl does not agree with her mother’s opinion. She questions her about the saying in the Quran: “[Translated] Does it say no to martial arts? No, it says not to go out without a veil, so I’ll fight with it on.”
On Tuesday’s Dateline, filmmaker Jayisha Patel shares Fareeha Tadim’s story, whose passion for Wushu is raising difficult questions for her family.
As the ongoing struggle between tradition and chasing dreams continues in Fareeha’s world, will she overcome gender and religious values to get there?
