Abstract
"Terrorist/Apostate" is the journey of a young Australian-Lebanese Muslim man, Omar, who loses his religious faith. Omar dialogues with characters on screen: his father, mother, his Australian girlfriend and her father. Omar refuses the violence of the labels imposed on him and explores his choices through opening diverse interpretations of Islam and belonging.
The work started as a response to the discourses around the "War on Terror" that Islam is incompatible with Western values, hence Muslims must choose – leave Islam (apostasize) or live as a suspected terrorist.
In Islam the concept of the ummah (community of believers) is strongly socio-political. Abandoning the faith destroys solidarity making apostasy a political decision, amounting to treason. Where does Omar belong, when apostasy positions him a terrorist within Islam?
Using this juxtaposition of the Terrorist/Apostate the work weaves a deeply moving personal story into contemporary geopolitical discourses.
The work is an hour-long theatrical presentation of a solo actor in dialogue with digitally-projected characters.
The work started as a response to the discourses around the "War on Terror" that Islam is incompatible with Western values, hence Muslims must choose – leave Islam (apostasize) or live as a suspected terrorist.
In Islam the concept of the ummah (community of believers) is strongly socio-political. Abandoning the faith destroys solidarity making apostasy a political decision, amounting to treason. Where does Omar belong, when apostasy positions him a terrorist within Islam?
Using this juxtaposition of the Terrorist/Apostate the work weaves a deeply moving personal story into contemporary geopolitical discourses.
The work is an hour-long theatrical presentation of a solo actor in dialogue with digitally-projected characters.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Sydney |
| Publisher | Parramatta Riverside Theatres |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |