14-year-old Stephanie Kurlow from Sydney, Australia has her dreams of being the '1st hijabi professional ballet dancer in the world' planned out.
Stephanie told the Sydney's Morning Herald
that, thoughts of quiting have constantly crossed her mind after
converting to Islam along side her family, because she could not find a
school that will accept her wearing hijab to school.
She also explained that not only has she been criticized by some dance schools, some Muslims believe that dancing is Haram, but she is still committed to the dream.
So
that everyone can gain from her expertise after her ballet school,
Stephanie launched the LaunchGood campaign which is focused on
crowdsourcing education by opening a diverse performing arts academy
that caters to children and teenagers of different religions, races and
backgrounds.
"This school will
have special programs for specific religions, support groups for our
youth and people who are from disconnected communities, I will provide
for our future generations a chance to express and heal themselves and
others through the magnificent art of performing and creativity," she said.
She added that she draws inspiration from African-American ballerinas Michaela De Prince and Misty Copeland, as well as hijabi Emirati lifter Amna Al Haddad and hijabi American television news anchor Noor Tagour, and other "firsts" in their field.
"The hijab is so important to me because it's a part of who I am and represents the beautiful religion that I love.
If
people have the right to dress down then I have the right to dress up
and my hijab is my expression of love to my creator and I believe it
covers my body but not my mind, heart and talent," Stephanie told Mashable Australia.
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