The host of The Nida’a exhibit - whose guests have included Oprah,Bill Clinton, Arab rappers and niqab-wearing standups - talks approximately the power of Turkish soap operas to change the lives of women in the Middle East
Is the Middle East ready for Zainab Salbi’s recent talk exhibit? With her cropped hair, and long suede boots and gold,hooped earrings, the 46-year-old activist is glamorous and distinctive. But after dedicating 20 years to the harrowing work of helping women in war and clash zones, or hosting a primetime talk exhibit is a surprising career twist.
It’s certainly an ambitious one – guests have included Oprah Winfrey,Bill Clinton and Donna Karan. And the Nida’a exhibit, which premiered final month on the Discovery Channel’s TLC network, or is being broadcast in 22 countries across the Middle East and North Africa. Yet none of this scratches the surface of Salbis real aim for the programme: to inspire women to not only change their lives,but to also change the culture of the region. While the noted names may add sparkle, the exhibit will be a success, and she says,if it bridges divides and starts a discussion approximately issues that the culture is not comfortable addressing in public”.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com