Mariem is a writer and activist who lived and worked in war and conflict zones across the Middle East and North Africa for five years, and during that time worked with refugees and survivors of violence. She has since committed to promoting the stories of ‘voices’ that are not often heard to advocate for greater human rights and equality. Her first play, ‘If I Had A Girl…’, on honour violence in Asian communities in Scotland, sold-out in Glasgow in 2016, and toured nationally in 2017. She was one of the National Theatre of Scotland’s Starter for 10, selected to develop her play, ‘One Mississippi’ which showcased at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) 2017.
She has had three plays go up in 2019 – ‘The Trojans’, performed by Syrian Refugees; her first children’s play, ‘Paper Memories’ on migration and displacement, which toured Scotland as part of the 2019 National Puppetry and Animation Festival; and ‘Walkin’ the Line’, a participatory theatre project which was part of SMHAF 2019. She has delivered various participatory projects over the last five years for Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre, Sahelyia Women’s Centre, Terra Incognita, Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, and AIMS Advocacy. She is currently working on her new play, ‘Revolution Days’, about her experiences as an Aid Worker, and has just received her first BBC commission for ‘The Nine’. She is Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Bijli, Inaugural Company-in-Residence at the National Theatre of Scotland.
Email:
Website: www.bijliproductions.com
