Ramdan Kareem from AbuDhabiWeek.ae

Cristal 2.35

Sunday, 27 May 2012

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TEDx comes to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Week quizzed comedienne Shaima Al Sayed about it

tedxcomes

Abu Dhabi Week Magazine caught up with Shaima Al Sayed, one of several innovators scheduled to appear in person at the TEDxAbuDhabi conference, taking place this weekend at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The comedienne, from Ajman, whose mission is to erase stereotypes about Muslims and Arabs, will be attending the inaugural event on Saturday. She told us that she was approached by the organisers as they heard about her unconventional hobbies and believe she will offer a different dimension to the event.

You say that this is your small little world, where you express yourself through the simple yet sophisticated mode of “words”. What exactly do you mean by this?
I mean that my words are very simple, but the thoughts, experiences and ambitions that come behind these words are very sophisticated; thus there could be a lot that can be understood from what I write, even if they were addressed in the most simplest of forms.

Do you think this event will be a success?

If the right amount of organisation and dedication is put into it, why not! The team seems committed to bringing in something new and different.

What are the reasons you are involved in the event?

It would be a good opportunity to present to people the work that I do with regards to erasing stereotypes, and that the cultural dress of abaya and sheila are never a hurdle ... you can achieve a lot if you want to.

How are you preparing for the event, whilst keeping the theme ‘spaces in between’ in mind?

My work as a stand-up comidienne and as a tutor to foreigners on how to speak Arabic is all about the “spaces between”, and it fits perfectly with the theme of the event. I like to create a bridge of understanding and communication between Emiratis and expatriates, it helps enhance the harmony that is already existent in the country, and hopefully, adds an extra angle of understanding between them.  

The event publication says that your mission is to erase stereotypes about Muslims and Arabs. How do you plan to do this and through what means?

I am already doing this with my comedy for the past year and a half. I address certain ideas that people have about Arabs, based on comments or questions I personally receive or I hear others sharing with me ... topics about the way we dress, what we do ... I believe that when people are laughing, they are more receptive to comments and criticism; and I make sure that when i present a joke, it’s not offensive.

Rosina Kermani

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