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  • 1 year ago
She talks about breaking stereotypes and the challenges she has faced. Learn more: http://gulfnews.com/1.2184940
Transcript
00:00I try to make what I love and at the same time to commit to my hijab or my modesty.
00:16Because ballet is an art, there is no problem with ballet and the hijab.
00:24I know people get used to see a ballerina without hijab and this is normal.
00:32And abnormal is to be a ballerina in hijab.
00:37But I try to do what I love because this is my passion.
00:42And in Egypt they were always showing the performances of the opera on the TV.
00:50And then I saw a tutu, it was in a store, and I found that it's my passion.
01:00Wow, I love to wear this tutu, I love to wear these shoes.
01:05I started to buy shoes that look like the Demi Kwan shoes in ballet.
01:10Every time I went to the opera I was looking at them with passion.
01:16It's my dream, I want to dance like them.
01:21And I called them and I said, I want to join, I am 27 years old, can I join your classes?
01:29They said, yeah, we have classes for adults and you can join.
01:33I said, I'm 27 years, really I can join?
01:36Yes, you can.
01:37So, but I'm wearing hijab.
01:41I thought that they are going to tell me, no, it's not allowed to join.
01:45They said, no, we have classes for ladies.
01:49I was so happy, I'm finally achieving my dream.
01:54My dream is coming true.
01:56The first time I went on stage, I was so happy and my body was trembling.
02:03I can't believe it, my big dream is finally coming true.
02:09I'm receiving a lot of messages from hijabi girls and non-hijabi girls
02:14that they wanted to learn ballet when they were young or when they were a kid and they didn't do it.
02:22They are asking me, Inji, can we do ballet at that age?
02:26I'm 15 years old, I'm 18 years old, I'm 23, I'm 25, I'm 30 years old.
02:32I'm encouraging them, telling them, yes, you can, yes, you can do it.
02:39If you love something, you can do it.
02:41I cannot see something bad with ballet and hijab.
02:45Ballet is an art and it's very beautiful and all the people love ballet and love looking at the ballerina.
02:52So it's not bad, it's something good.
02:56And I feel that I inspired many girls to achieve their dreams and to start to do what they love.
03:11For more UN videos visit www.un.org
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