AUSTRALIA HOSTS MUSLIM FASHION EXHIBITION

West Australia, 29 Jumadil Awwal 1436/20 March 2015 (MINA) – Reflecting the diversity within the Australian Muslim community, a new fashion exhibition has been launched in the West Australian town of Katanning to defy misconceptions about Islam in the town.

Themed “Faith, Fashion, Fusion”, Katanning’s fashion exhibition displays the work of a new generation of fashion designers who mingled contemporary fashion with modesty, International Islamic News Agency (IINA) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Using photography, treasured objects and interviews with prominent Australian Muslim women, including Sydney public figure Arwa El-Masri, the exhibitions aims to create a space for the Muslim community to speak about their experiences and faith.

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“For a Muslim lady, you’re expected to dress modestly and be as covered as possible,” Ainnatul Aesonand, a Public Library Officer, of Katanning told ABC Local Radio.

“What’s showcased here right now, is how to dress modestly but fashionably at the same time to present yourself beautifully out to the world.”

For the library officer, Aesonand, contemporary fashion and Islam teachings are completely “compatible”. She hopes that the event could send this message.

She also aims that the exhibition would highlight the diversity of the Australian Muslim community.
Muslims, who have been in Australia for more than 200 years, make up 1.7 percent of its 20-million population and the religion of Islam is the country’s second largest religion after Christianity. (T/P011/R03)