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The My Dress, My Image, My Choice project was an interfaith, intercultural community event designed to address misconceptions concerning Muslim women, Islam’s attitude toward women and, in particular, the dress choices made by many Muslim women.

The project aimed to:

• facilitate interaction and engagement between Muslim and non-Muslim women to break down barriers and stereotypes
• increase the wider community understanding of Islam and its attitude toward women
• address issues of community isolation and marginalisation, through increasing a broader understanding of Islam
• enhance the integration of Australian Muslim women.

Designed to be a women’s only educational event, the project included a fashion parade, guest speakers, entertainment and panel discussion.

It allowed for dialogue between women from a diverse range of cultural and religious backgrounds. Muslim and non-Muslim women had the opportunity to interact in a relaxed, open and non-threatening environment. The women had an opportunity to ask questions of each other, further facilitating cross cultural understanding, awareness and acceptance.

The My Dress events have been held across the country, including Melbourne, regional Victoria, Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart and Adelaide.

The project celebrated its 10 year finale earlier this month at the Regal Ballroom in Northcote. The creator of the project, Saara Sabbagh has decided to close the curtain on the show for the last time as she felt the community has evolved and have a good understanding now of Islamic dress and Muslim women's choices. She believes it's time to move onto deeper discussions that effect us all such justice, ethics and spiritual growth.

Look out for the next up and coming community initiative by Benevolence on their website www.BenevolenceAustralia.org