Burq Off! Navigating the Tensions Between Tradition and Modernity in the 21st Century

Whether in Karachi or Canarsie, the dilemma confronting young people today
is how to reconcile the mantle of traditional family values with the dream of
independence and self-expression.

In scenes from her critically acclaimed one-woman show, Pakistani-British-American playwright Nadia Manzoor uses poignant personal stories to shatter the illusion that there is security in family tradition. Uplifting and empowering, she shares her journey to self-fulfillment as an independent woman. Nadia is joined by author and activist Irshad Manji and financier Riaz Siddiqi in an interactive panel. Together, they explore how the issues faced by the playwright symbolize the misunderstandings and tensions between the US and Pakistan, a key programmatic emphasis of Intersections International.