As you may know, March is a month that honors and acknowledges women with lots of events to celebrate International Women's Day and Mother's Day. Today, I will be attending a free event held by the Mohila Ongon Association at the Brady Arts & Community Centre in Whitechapel. The Mohila Ongon Association is a local organization that represents and includes women from ethnic minority backgrounds, especially Bangladeshi women.
Caption: A multicultural community event in the neighborhood of Whitechapel in London.
Whitechapel is a busy, multicultural neighborhood in the East End of London with many classic pubs and curry establishments, as well as the bustling Whitechapel Market, serving Asian cuisine, bargain apparel, and homewares. Most of the women I met today are Bangladeshis who have lived here for generations.
Caption: My new friend.
This year's theme is "break the bias." I came to the avenue at 11am when people were still preparing. I was asked to help with setting up the tables and chairs for local enterprises and activities. The local women were invited to the event to present a showcase of their shops including perfumes, sparkling pieces of jewelry, colorful traditional fabric, traditional cuisines, etc.
Caption: Local women businesses at the event.
The event started with an introduction and welcoming note from the organization, followed by a Zumba taster session. At 12pm, more people came and participated in activities such as henna and makeup sessions. I am really interested in henna, which can be considered as temporary tattoos. Henna is now mostly employed in the cheerful gathering of people to commemorate special occasions such as weddings and birthdays. Henna paste represents good health and prosperity in marriage, and the darker the henna stain, the greater the love between two people in various cultures.
Caption: A Zumba session at the event.
After that, there was an open mic where local ladies shared their poems. Many activities also happened simultaneously such as massaging, painting for children, games, shopping, and more.
This event was to show how powerful and strong women are, especially when we are united. I met many new friends there, from a student at Queens Mary University who came with her mother, to some older women who kept thanking me for helping out, as well as some British people who love Zumba-ing, etc. If you have time to spend here, go check out Whitechapel!