Darija´s Story:
My family and I were waiting to become Canadians since 2007. A few days ago, on October 5th 2015, our dream became true.
But, there is always a but. Since general elections have been announced for October 18th, the main question has been should a woman be allowed to attend the citizenship ceremony, state the oath, and become a Canadian citizen while wearing a veil. As this was an obvious attempt to steer the public in order to gain votes on an issue as irrelevant as this one, I naturally got sick of this manipulation and islamophobia.
Calgary, Canada, Harry Hays Building, October 5, 2015, 9:35h
This is Canada; I didn’t come here all the way from Bosnia to be told what I am or am not allowed to wear. So I had to attend the citizenship ceremony wearing a niqab. I explained it to my family; I had to make a demonstration at home the day before the ceremony, and luckily they agreed to my proposal. To my delight, everything went very smoothly on that October the 5th.
I recalled your “Misplaced Women” performance and decided to take a part. Until the election is over, I will be exposing the content of my bag at different public locations here in Calgary, wearing a niqab of course.
Darija S. Radakovic
October 11th 2015
Calgary, 4 Street SW C-Train Station, October 7, 17:20h
Calgary, Tompkins Park, 17 Avenue SW, October 7, 2015, 16:39h
Calgary, Anderson Station, October 10, 2015 13:40h
Calgary, Anderson Station, October 10. 2015, 13:42h
Calgary, Canada, Sunnyside C-Train Station, October 19, 2015, 16:43h
Calgary, Canada, Sunnyside C-Train Station, October 19, 2015, 16:39h
Post-scriptum (October 21, 2015):
I would like to add that the election is over now and that those who stated “oh no niqab” have lost. For the moment, we can only watch closely those who are now in power.
Misplaced Women? 