This episode of TV3’s Both Worlds series tells the inspirational story of Thoraya Abdul-Rassol – a 19 year-old Muslim women and soccer enthusiast, who faces the challenge of overcoming her fear of discrimination.
Thoraya and her family left the conflicts in Iraq to come to Auckland in 1995. Growing up in NZ, Thoraya has managed to maintain her cultural values, and as a practicing Muslim she wears a hijab. Thoraya absolutely loves soccer and is was an active participant in Connect2sport’s GIRLS ONLY futsal league. Her and a group of friends from the league also decided to enter a team in the Auckland Cultural Football Festival.
The Both World’s episode follows Thoraya’s soccer team and also her preparation to move to Victoria University in Wellington to begin her second year of law. This will be her first time living away from her parents, and she worries about being alone in a new city, meeting like minded friends. She also hopes to join another soccer team but is worried that she’ll be judged for being Muslim. Being a non-drinker in the party culture of law school provides some cultural and social hurdles for Thoraya but she eventually builds up the confidence to try out for a new team.
Both Worlds is a documentary series presenting a collection of personal stories of young people as they share their personal experiences of being a 21st century Kiwi with a foot in two worlds. The series delivers a varied mix of stories from New Zealand’s migrant and refugee communities, showcased in half hour character-driven documentaries.
Connect2sport aims to connect more diverse young people to the power of sport
connect2sport.org.nz
