Is it just me or did 2021 feel like 2020 all over again? What a year it has been though. Another pandemic year, another year of some epic moments captured on camera. Midway through 2021, as things started to open again here in Toronto, it brought many opportunities like shooting sporting events, rallies and protests, and starting a personal project called Poetic Culture.
Starting in May, there were a lot of rallies and protests against Israel and its actions against the people of Palestine. Being out there to document and see people of all colours, faiths, ethnicities, age, and backgrounds come together to show their support for Palestine, was amazing to witness. To be honest, capturing these moments was also heartbreaking because I have met and know some close friends whose families are from Palestine and Israel, and have heard their stories on what they have been through.
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In June, I got the opportunity to photograph the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) games here in Ontario. A professional basketball league for Canadians, made by Canadians. It’s amazing to see the vast amount of talent that Canada produces each year in basketball, and it is only getting better! Just being able to go back and shoot for various basketball organizations and witnessing the amount of talent there is at the high school level for both boys and girls here in Canada. Who would have thought that 130 years ago, a Canadian American man named James Naismith would create the sport of basketball?
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By far the best part of 2021 for me was being able to start a project called Poetic Culture. The purpose of this project is to amplify the stories of Muslim women who are engaged in the sport, health and/or fitness fields. This can include Muslimah’s engaging at a recreational or competitive level – as well as those who are retired. Despite Muslim women being engaged in many different forms of physical activity, we recognize that the representation (if present at all) is extremely narrow and limited. We aim to show the diversity that exists within our community and help change the narrative about Muslim women in sports.
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2021 had so much going on that it was just nearly impossible to capture all the big moments or stories that come up everyday. I’ve highlighted just a few and I’m looking forward to what 2022 has in store.
Aseefa Sarang December 31, 2021
What a great post Fazal! Thank you for sharing your snapshot of 2021 that captured the highlights and the lowlights of human nature. May 2022 bring us a better, stronger, more just world for all of humanity!