ROOM 11

ABOUT TOOLS FOR CONVIVIALITY Anna Ehrenstein’s Tools for Conviviality is a collection of visual ephemera about the usage of tools for various modes of human togetherness. It is the result of collaborative visual and oral research conducted together with Awa Seck, Thibaut Houssou, Nyamwathi Gichau, Lydia Likibi, Donkafele and Saliou Ba.

“I’m trapped! I’m screaming! I have this dream: I call Samina, my wife, but surprisingly she doesn’t notice me. I feel nervous. This dream won’t let me move on.” – This man was falsely accused, arrested by state security forces, and brutally tortured. ABOUT FILES OF THE DISAPPEARED Ashfika Rahman’s Files of the Disappeared portrays victims of political injustice in Bangladesh. She also shows the places where the bodies of so-called criminals have been found after “clashes” with the police. Rahman’s intimate, long-term mode of documentary image-making is based around extensive interviews conducted with the survivors of police torture and enforced disappearances, as well as with the relatives of those who did not return.

Areas like this – near highways in northern and south-eastern Bangladesh – are known for confrontations between police and supposed criminals. In 2016 and 2017, bodies of alleged criminals were found here.

Areas like this – near highways in northern and south-eastern Bangladesh – are known for confrontations between police and supposed criminals. In 2016 and 2017, bodies of alleged criminals were found here.

Areas like this – near highways in northern and south-eastern Bangladesh – are known for confrontations between police and supposed criminals. In 2016 and 2017, bodies of alleged criminals were found here.

“It was a bad dream. I want to forget that day. The incident has shamed me. I was an architecture student and went home during the holidays. Afterwards, I wasn’t allowed to keep studying.” – This man was arrested by state security forces.

It was inconceivable. I had been in Dubai for a long time. I came back to visit my family. It has destroyed everything. I don’t want to live much longer.” – This man was arrested by state security services.

I had been at school. They arrested me when I was on my way back. I didn’t understand what was going on. I still can’t sleep. I feel the pain again and again. My wife is afraid. She moved away from her parents to be with me. I’m actually more worried about her. – This man was falsely accused, arrested by state security forces, and imprisoned.

RELEASE ABUL KALAM “I have a great understanding of Rohingya problems and I can show it to the world with photography” -Abul Kalam- Turbine Bagh continued during lockdown. In December 2020 Rohingya photographer Abul Kalam was arrested while photographing the transfer of refugees to to Bhasan Char Island, a controversial island camp. He was reportedly beaten before being taken to police barracks near the Kutupalong refugee camp. Calls for his release came from figures including Peter Gabriel, Bianca Jagger, and Shahidul Alam, as well as numerous academics, human rights activists and lawyers. To join the campaign, I made these samosa packets in January 2021 using photographs Abul Kalam has taken in the Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh. Soon after, Abul Kalam was released on bail. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

I made these packets in March 2020. They feature photographs by Shuchi Kapoor (based in India). The photographs are of the Dalit protest in Una in 2016. The reverse of the packet is my mother’s old song notes. Shuchi explained: “On July 11, four Dalit boys were, stripped, tied to a car in Una in Gujarat and publicly flogged by gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes) for skinning a dead cow. The viral video circulated across the country, a reminder of caste atrocities and discrimination against Dalits. On August 5, as the country was getting ready to celebrate its 70th Independence Day, the Dalits in Gujarat started their own freedom movement. Under the leadership of a 35-year-old lawyer-activist, Jignesh Mevani, the Dalit Asmita Yatra began from Ahmedabad to Una. Gai nu puchdu tamey rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo (“Keep the cow’s tail for yourself, but give us our land back”) and “Chalo Una” became the calls of the journey that wound its way through 400 kilometres of Gujarat.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

“Nepal Resistance - members of Women's Security Pressure Group take a rally.” I made this packet in March 2020 with a photograph from Nepal Picture Library, printed on my mother’s old song notes, my children’s drawings, and words urging non violence. Photo caption: “Kathmandu, 1993. Members of Women's Security Pressure Group take a rally. Chaired by Sahana Pradhan, the group started as a united forum of women activists, politicians, and professionals of all affiliations. It was founded in 1991 after the Home Minister of the newly established democratic government said that women should simply grow their nails and carry chilli powder when women activists petitioned him about the watershed case of a 11-year-old girl's rape in Kathmandu.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

“Don’t give me religion, give me food” In February 2020 I used photographer and film maker Ronny Sen’s photo of rapper Kat Jr. to make this samosa packet. Ronny Sen has been speaking out despite threats to his own life, as many in India have. Ronny Sen’s photo shows rapper Kat Jr at a protest rally in College Street in Calcutta. “Don’t give me religion, give me food” is written on the chest of Kat Jr. Kat Jr. now shows his art on the Turbine Bagh Instagram platform. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

Where is Kajol? / Made by Lylah My seven year old daughter made a samosa packet about Bangladeshi journalist/ photographer Kajol, who was disappeared on March 10th 2020. Kajol’s son came across the post and reached out. Turbine Bagh artists began to help on the #whereiskajol campaign, a gesture of South Asia solidarity. Kajol was subsequently ‘found’ on the Bangladesh-India border, and then jailed by the government of Bangladesh. Kajol’s son never gave up campaigning for his father, who was finally released on bail in December 2020.

I made these packets in March 2020. They feature photographs by Shuchi Kapoor (based in India). The photographs are of the Dalit protest in Una in 2016. The reverse of the packet is my mother’s old song notes. Shuchi explained: “On July 11, four Dalit boys were, stripped, tied to a car in Una in Gujarat and publicly flogged by gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes) for skinning a dead cow. The viral video circulated across the country, a reminder of caste atrocities and discrimination against Dalits. On August 5, as the country was getting ready to celebrate its 70th Independence Day, the Dalits in Gujarat started their own freedom movement. Under the leadership of a 35-year-old lawyer-activist, Jignesh Mevani, the Dalit Asmita Yatra began from Ahmedabad to Una. Gai nu puchdu tamey rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo (“Keep the cow’s tail for yourself, but give us our land back”) and “Chalo Una” became the calls of the journey that wound its way through 400 kilometres of Gujarat.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

I made these packets in March 2020. They feature photographs by Shuchi Kapoor (based in India). The photographs are of the Dalit protest in Una in 2016. The reverse of the packet is my mother’s old song notes. Shuchi explained: “On July 11, four Dalit boys were, stripped, tied to a car in Una in Gujarat and publicly flogged by gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes) for skinning a dead cow. The viral video circulated across the country, a reminder of caste atrocities and discrimination against Dalits. On August 5, as the country was getting ready to celebrate its 70th Independence Day, the Dalits in Gujarat started their own freedom movement. Under the leadership of a 35-year-old lawyer-activist, Jignesh Mevani, the Dalit Asmita Yatra began from Ahmedabad to Una. Gai nu puchdu tamey rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo (“Keep the cow’s tail for yourself, but give us our land back”) and “Chalo Una” became the calls of the journey that wound its way through 400 kilometres of Gujarat.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

I made these packets in March 2020. They feature photographs by Shuchi Kapoor (based in India). The photographs are of the Dalit protest in Una in 2016. The reverse of the packet is my mother’s old song notes. Shuchi explained: “On July 11, four Dalit boys were, stripped, tied to a car in Una in Gujarat and publicly flogged by gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes) for skinning a dead cow. The viral video circulated across the country, a reminder of caste atrocities and discrimination against Dalits. On August 5, as the country was getting ready to celebrate its 70th Independence Day, the Dalits in Gujarat started their own freedom movement. Under the leadership of a 35-year-old lawyer-activist, Jignesh Mevani, the Dalit Asmita Yatra began from Ahmedabad to Una. Gai nu puchdu tamey rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo (“Keep the cow’s tail for yourself, but give us our land back”) and “Chalo Una” became the calls of the journey that wound its way through 400 kilometres of Gujarat.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

I made these packets in March 2020. They feature photographs by Shuchi Kapoor (based in India). The photographs are of the Dalit protest in Una in 2016. The reverse of the packet is my mother’s old song notes. Shuchi explained: “On July 11, four Dalit boys were, stripped, tied to a car in Una in Gujarat and publicly flogged by gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes) for skinning a dead cow. The viral video circulated across the country, a reminder of caste atrocities and discrimination against Dalits. On August 5, as the country was getting ready to celebrate its 70th Independence Day, the Dalits in Gujarat started their own freedom movement. Under the leadership of a 35-year-old lawyer-activist, Jignesh Mevani, the Dalit Asmita Yatra began from Ahmedabad to Una. Gai nu puchdu tamey rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo (“Keep the cow’s tail for yourself, but give us our land back”) and “Chalo Una” became the calls of the journey that wound its way through 400 kilometres of Gujarat.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

I made these packets in March 2020. They feature photographs by Shuchi Kapoor (based in India). The photographs are of the Dalit protest in Una in 2016. The reverse of the packet is my mother’s old song notes. Shuchi explained: “On July 11, four Dalit boys were, stripped, tied to a car in Una in Gujarat and publicly flogged by gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes) for skinning a dead cow. The viral video circulated across the country, a reminder of caste atrocities and discrimination against Dalits. On August 5, as the country was getting ready to celebrate its 70th Independence Day, the Dalits in Gujarat started their own freedom movement. Under the leadership of a 35-year-old lawyer-activist, Jignesh Mevani, the Dalit Asmita Yatra began from Ahmedabad to Una. Gai nu puchdu tamey rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo (“Keep the cow’s tail for yourself, but give us our land back”) and “Chalo Una” became the calls of the journey that wound its way through 400 kilometres of Gujarat.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

I made these packets in March 2020. They feature photographs by Shuchi Kapoor (based in India). The photographs are of the Dalit protest in Una in 2016. The reverse of the packet is my mother’s old song notes. Shuchi explained: “On July 11, four Dalit boys were, stripped, tied to a car in Una in Gujarat and publicly flogged by gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes) for skinning a dead cow. The viral video circulated across the country, a reminder of caste atrocities and discrimination against Dalits. On August 5, as the country was getting ready to celebrate its 70th Independence Day, the Dalits in Gujarat started their own freedom movement. Under the leadership of a 35-year-old lawyer-activist, Jignesh Mevani, the Dalit Asmita Yatra began from Ahmedabad to Una. Gai nu puchdu tamey rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo (“Keep the cow’s tail for yourself, but give us our land back”) and “Chalo Una” became the calls of the journey that wound its way through 400 kilometres of Gujarat.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

“Nepal Resistance - members of Women's Security Pressure Group take a rally.” I made this packet in March 2020 with a photograph from Nepal Picture Library, printed on my mother’s old song notes, my children’s drawings, and words urging non violence. Photo caption: “Kathmandu, 1993. Members of Women's Security Pressure Group take a rally. Chaired by Sahana Pradhan, the group started as a united forum of women activists, politicians, and professionals of all affiliations. It was founded in 1991 after the Home Minister of the newly established democratic government said that women should simply grow their nails and carry chilli powder when women activists petitioned him about the watershed case of a 11-year-old girl's rape in Kathmandu.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

Nepal Resistance - Kanchanpur, 2010. A mass meeting of former kamaiyas (bonded labourers) in Kanchanpur.” I made this packet in March 2020 with a photograph from GEFONT Collection/Nepal Picture Library, printed on my mother’s old song notes, and my children’s drawings. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

“Free Umar Khalid - 90 days jailed” In December 2020 I made this packet using photographs of Umar Khalid by photographers RonnySen & Rohit Saha (based in India), printed on my son's homework. "Khalid, a former student activist at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who was very involved in the anti-CAA protests, has been accused of masterminding the riots at meetings in January to coincide with a visit by the US president, Donald Trump. He is also accused of making incendiary speeches In the speech in question, made to students in at JNU in January, Khalid said: “We won’t respond to violence with violence. We won’t respond to hate with hate. If they spread hate, we will respond to it with love. If they thrash us with lathis, we keep holding the tricolour.”" -The Guardian, 14.09.20 Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

“Nepal Resistance - Uma Devi Badi stages a petticoat protest.” I made this packet in March 2020 with a photograph from Jagaran Media Center/Nepal Picture Library, printed on my mother’s old song notes, and my children’s drawings. Photo caption: “Kathmandu, 2007. When other attempts to press the demands of Dalit communities had failed, Uma Devi Badi stages a "petticoat protest" as a last-ditch effort outside Singha Durbar to symbolise the stripping of the Badi community's dignity.” Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

“Don’t give me religion, give me food” In February 2020 I used photographer and film maker Ronny Sen’s photo of rapper Kat Jr. to make this samosa packet. Ronny Sen has been speaking out despite threats to his own life, as many in India have. Ronny Sen’s photo shows rapper Kat Jr at a protest rally in College Street in Calcutta. “Don’t give me religion, give me food” is written on the chest of Kat Jr. Kat Jr. now shows his art on the Turbine Bagh Instagram platform. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

“Free Umar Khalid - 90 days jailed” In December 2020 I made this packet using photographs of Umar Khalid by photographers RonnySen & Rohit Saha (based in India), printed on my son's homework. "Khalid, a former student activist at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who was very involved in the anti-CAA protests, has been accused of masterminding the riots at meetings in January to coincide with a visit by the US president, Donald Trump. He is also accused of making incendiary speeches In the speech in question, made to students in at JNU in January, Khalid said: “We won’t respond to violence with violence. We won’t respond to hate with hate. If they spread hate, we will respond to it with love. If they thrash us with lathis, we keep holding the tricolour.”" -The Guardian, 14.09.20 Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim

“This is what lockdown means for the ricksha-wallas of Bangladesh” (March 2020) Turbine Bagh continued during the Covid pandemic. I made these packets using video stills and reportage created by Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam (my uncle). The packets recount stories from ricksha-wallas of Bangladesh: “The rental for the riksha is 100 taka. I've earned only 70. By now I'd normally have earned 400-500. They've messaged me from home asking to send money. What can I send? There are six mouths to feed at home. The monthly rent is 4000 taka. It's been like this for the past 10 days or so. What can I do? It's the same for all of us. We've had no help from anyone. Only God can save us." (Siddique Ali. Rikshawala. Dhanmondi Road 9A. Dhaka. 12:00 pm 27th March 2020). Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim

“This is what lockdown means for the ricksha-wallas of Bangladesh” (March 2020) Turbine Bagh continued during the Covid pandemic. I made these packets using video stills and reportage created by Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam (my uncle). The packets recount stories from ricksha-wallas of Bangladesh: “The rental for the riksha is 100 taka. I've earned only 70. By now I'd normally have earned 400-500. They've messaged me from home asking to send money. What can I send? There are six mouths to feed at home. The monthly rent is 4000 taka. It's been like this for the past 10 days or so. What can I do? It's the same for all of us. We've had no help from anyone. Only God can save us." (Siddique Ali. Rikshawala. Dhanmondi Road 9A. Dhaka. 12:00 pm 27th March 2020). Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim

“This is what lockdown means for the ricksha-wallas of Bangladesh” (March 2020) Turbine Bagh continued during the Covid pandemic. I made these packets using video stills and reportage created by Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam (my uncle). The packets recount stories from ricksha-wallas of Bangladesh: “The rental for the riksha is 100 taka. I've earned only 70. By now I'd normally have earned 400-500. They've messaged me from home asking to send money. What can I send? There are six mouths to feed at home. The monthly rent is 4000 taka. It's been like this for the past 10 days or so. What can I do? It's the same for all of us. We've had no help from anyone. Only God can save us." (Siddique Ali. Rikshawala. Dhanmondi Road 9A. Dhaka. 12:00 pm 27th March 2020). Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim

The Price of Gratitude I made this packet in February 2020. It features a poem and photograph by my uncle Shahidul Alam, printed on my my mother’s old hand written song notes. In October 2019, 22 year old student Abrar Fahad was tortured and murdered on campus in a university in Bangladesh, by Chhatra League activists (the student wing of Bangladesh’s ruling party, the Awami League). He had criticised Bangladesh's agreement to allow India to withdraw water from Feni river. Shahidul re-released this photo and poem as a tribute to Abrar. A few days later I received a Direct Message on my Instagram from actor Sharon Stone. She had shared this on her Instagram with the caption “these are so interesting”. This made it into a Times of India news story. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

Where is Kajol? / Made by Lylah My seven year old daughter made a samosa packet about Bangladeshi journalist/ photographer Kajol, who was disappeared on March 10th 2020. Kajol’s son came across the post and reached out. Turbine Bagh artists began to help on the #whereiskajol campaign, a gesture of South Asia solidarity. Kajol was subsequently ‘found’ on the Bangladesh-India border, and then jailed by the government of Bangladesh. Kajol’s son never gave up campaigning for his father, who was finally released on bail in December 2020.

Where is Kajol? / Made by Lylah My seven year old daughter made a samosa packet about Bangladeshi journalist/ photographer Kajol, who was disappeared on March 10th 2020. Kajol’s son came across the post and reached out. Turbine Bagh artists began to help on the #whereiskajol campaign, a gesture of South Asia solidarity. Kajol was subsequently ‘found’ on the Bangladesh-India border, and then jailed by the government of Bangladesh. Kajol’s son never gave up campaigning for his father, who was finally released on bail in December 2020.

RELEASE ABUL KALAM “I have a great understanding of Rohingya problems and I can show it to the world with photography” -Abul Kalam- Turbine Bagh continued during lockdown. In December 2020 Rohingya photographer Abul Kalam was arrested while photographing the transfer of refugees to to Bhasan Char Island, a controversial island camp. He was reportedly beaten before being taken to police barracks near the Kutupalong refugee camp. Calls for his release came from figures including Peter Gabriel, Bianca Jagger, and Shahidul Alam, as well as numerous academics, human rights activists and lawyers. To join the campaign, I made these samosa packets in January 2021 using photographs Abul Kalam has taken in the Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh. Soon after, Abul Kalam was released on bail. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

RELEASE ABUL KALAM “I have a great understanding of Rohingya problems and I can show it to the world with photography” -Abul Kalam- Turbine Bagh continued during lockdown. In December 2020 Rohingya photographer Abul Kalam was arrested while photographing the transfer of refugees to to Bhasan Char Island, a controversial island camp. He was reportedly beaten before being taken to police barracks near the Kutupalong refugee camp. Calls for his release came from figures including Peter Gabriel, Bianca Jagger, and Shahidul Alam, as well as numerous academics, human rights activists and lawyers. To join the campaign, I made these samosa packets in January 2021 using photographs Abul Kalam has taken in the Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh. Soon after, Abul Kalam was released on bail. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

RELEASE ABUL KALAM “I have a great understanding of Rohingya problems and I can show it to the world with photography” -Abul Kalam- Turbine Bagh continued during lockdown. In December 2020 Rohingya photographer Abul Kalam was arrested while photographing the transfer of refugees to to Bhasan Char Island, a controversial island camp. He was reportedly beaten before being taken to police barracks near the Kutupalong refugee camp. Calls for his release came from figures including Peter Gabriel, Bianca Jagger, and Shahidul Alam, as well as numerous academics, human rights activists and lawyers. To join the campaign, I made these samosa packets in January 2021 using photographs Abul Kalam has taken in the Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh. Soon after, Abul Kalam was released on bail. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

RELEASE ABUL KALAM “I have a great understanding of Rohingya problems and I can show it to the world with photography” -Abul Kalam- Turbine Bagh continued during lockdown. In December 2020 Rohingya photographer Abul Kalam was arrested while photographing the transfer of refugees to to Bhasan Char Island, a controversial island camp. He was reportedly beaten before being taken to police barracks near the Kutupalong refugee camp. Calls for his release came from figures including Peter Gabriel, Bianca Jagger, and Shahidul Alam, as well as numerous academics, human rights activists and lawyers. To join the campaign, I made these samosa packets in January 2021 using photographs Abul Kalam has taken in the Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh. Soon after, Abul Kalam was released on bail. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

RELEASE ABUL KALAM “I have a great understanding of Rohingya problems and I can show it to the world with photography” -Abul Kalam- Turbine Bagh continued during lockdown. In December 2020 Rohingya photographer Abul Kalam was arrested while photographing the transfer of refugees to to Bhasan Char Island, a controversial island camp. He was reportedly beaten before being taken to police barracks near the Kutupalong refugee camp. Calls for his release came from figures including Peter Gabriel, Bianca Jagger, and Shahidul Alam, as well as numerous academics, human rights activists and lawyers. To join the campaign, I made these samosa packets in January 2021 using photographs Abul Kalam has taken in the Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh. Soon after, Abul Kalam was released on bail. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

RELEASE ABUL KALAM “I have a great understanding of Rohingya problems and I can show it to the world with photography” -Abul Kalam- Turbine Bagh continued during lockdown. In December 2020 Rohingya photographer Abul Kalam was arrested while photographing the transfer of refugees to to Bhasan Char Island, a controversial island camp. He was reportedly beaten before being taken to police barracks near the Kutupalong refugee camp. Calls for his release came from figures including Peter Gabriel, Bianca Jagger, and Shahidul Alam, as well as numerous academics, human rights activists and lawyers. To join the campaign, I made these samosa packets in January 2021 using photographs Abul Kalam has taken in the Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh. Soon after, Abul Kalam was released on bail. Samosa packets made by Sofia Karim.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Archival press cuttings, chronicling violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Ahamdi community in Pakistan, since 1954.

Hate speech from religious clerics (Mullahs) can quickly turn peaceful gatherings into mobs that find and attack Ahmadis. Community members live in constant fear and avoid going outdoors when such diatribes are being spewed in their vicinity. "We saw a car full of mullahs arrive. They gathered people around and informed them about the decree that had been issued to kill us because they had found out that we were Ahmadis. All this while we stood afar, hiding and listening. We were scared for ourselves, our kids, our families. That evening a mob came to our house. We were lucky to save our lives and left the city city forever. Many people don't.” Aijaz, Quettta

Official documents displaying religious identity are used to deny Ahmadis visas for performing Hajj. This restriction is only imposed in Pakistan and community members with other nationalities can perform this religious rite without facing similar issues.

Ahmadi women are easily recognisable in public spaces because of distinct kind of "burqa" they wear. They can become targets of verbal and physical harassment in the streets, at work places and in educational institutions. "At my tuition centre, some girls figured out that I was an Ahmadi by the (traditional) burqa I wore. One day, they came up to me, and started abusing and yelling. One of them even slapped me right across the face. They said I was kafir (infidel) and wajib-ul-kattal (punishable by death). None of the students stopped them. I started crying and was terrified. I felt humiliated and alone and then I stopped going to that centre." Amina, Faisalabad

Every year a teacher will give a derogatory lecture about your community. Calm your nerves and tryto stay quiet because blending in is your best option. Defending yourself and trying to correct misconceptions could land you in a lot of trouble. "My teacher used to question me in the most derogatory terms. I was often made to recite the "kalima" before class so I could attend my Islamic studies lecture. When I questioned this, I was beaten up, sometimes a slap, sometimes I was ganged up on and beaten. One day my father received a call that I had been expelled from school" Imran, 42. The Constitution of Pakistan - 1973 and "Seal of Prophethood" are two compulsory topics in Pakistani textbooks on history and religion. Content about the Ahmadi community in these books can lead to derogatory lectures by teachers that spread misinformation and provoke further hate against the community. from Shadow Lives Nida Mehboob

Every year a teacher will give a derogatory lecture about your community. Calm your nerves and tryto stay quiet because blending in is your best option. Defending yourself and trying to correct misconceptions could land you in a lot of trouble. "My teacher used to question me in the most derogatory terms. I was often made to recite the "kalima" before class so I could attend my Islamic studies lecture. When I questioned this, I was beaten up, sometimes a slap, sometimes I was ganged up on and beaten. One day my father received a call that I had been expelled from school" Imran, 42. The Constitution of Pakistan - 1973 and "Seal of Prophethood" are two compulsory topics in Pakistani textbooks on history and religion. Content about the Ahmadi community in these books can lead to derogatory lectures by teachers that spread misinformation and provoke further hate against the community. from Shadow Lives Nida Mehboob

Rather than protecting them against violent discrimination, state institutions are used to aid and abet the mistreatment of Ahmadis. From the police which does not control mobs, to courts which allow perpetrators to roam free to jails where Ahmadis accused under Pakistan's blasphemy laws continue to languish, the state repeatedly fails Ahmadis on multiple fronts. Not only do Ahmadis live in fear of violence from the public, they also remain wary of law enforcement agencies which can turn against them at the behest of extremist elements in the society.

Even though you are born and raised Muslim, the state can prosecute you for “posing” as one. You are Non-Muslim according to the law and can be jailed for up to 3 years for even saying “As salam u Alaikum”. As for saying your prayers or reciting the Quran in a public space, well you can just forget about that. Between 1984 and 2018, there were been 4178 cases against members of the Ahmadi community under section 298-C of Pakistan’s Infamous Blasphemy Law

Revelation of faith can lead to social boycott. Basic things like eating from the same utensils, accessing healthcare and renting a house are denied. The key to survival is remaining silent about one’s identity. "On religious occasions, plates full of festive food were exchanged between our neighbours but no one sent us anything. And if we were ever sent food, it would come in plastic bags. When I questioned this, I was told that sharing plates and cutlery with us would make the utensils napak, (impious)." Kashif, 28.

"I met a girl in university and fell in love with her. She loved me too but she said she couldn't marry a Non-Muslim. I tried to convince her that I am a Muslim but she said that there must be a reason you are Non-Muslim by law. I was heartbroken. I will never get involved with someone emotionally outside my community as it is never going to work out". Ahmed, 26. Intersect marriages are heavily discouraged in Pakistani society. Choosing this path can lead to ostracization, violence and death threats. As a result, many young Ahmadis face rejection and heartbreak until they find someone from their own community.

Pakistan is not good to those of its citizens who do not practice the mainstream Sunni faith. A glaring example is the Ahmadi minority community who live under a system of apartheid. The Ahmadi Muslim community has been persecuted since the country’s formation. This was institutionalised with the help of constitutional changes made under prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s regime when Ahmadis were declared Non-Muslims. Pakistan is the only country to have done this. Further changes in 1984 criminalised the religious practices of Ahmadis. In 2010, a violent attack on two Ahmadi mosques killed ninety-nine people. Ahmadis in Pakistan are forced to hide their religious identity, whether at social gatherings or public offices, for fear of social bigotry.

Every year a teacher will give a derogatory lecture about your community. Calm your nerves and try to stay quiet because blending in is your best option. Defending yourself and trying to correct misconceptions could land you in a lot of trouble.

COLLABORATION > CONTROL COLLABORATION > CONTROL is an open dialogue about artistic control and co-creation, featuring works by Anna Ehrenstein, Nida Mehboob, Ashfika Rahman and the Turbine Bagh project initiated by Sofia Karim. Responding to FORMAT’s theme of CONTROL, it explores engaged collaboration as a potential strategy for both complicating and seeking to overcome photography’s intrinsic position as a tool of power, control and historically, domination. The works comprising this exhibition typify what Stuart Hall has termed ‘photography as reconstruction work’ (1984), drawing in the present on the past in order to imagine potential futures of togetherness. They extend the demands of photography’s civil contract (as suggested by Ariella Azoulay) beyond viewership, tracing it to the process of image-making. These works are about listening and healing, gathering allies and creating potential futures, together, through making and displaying images. They are images made with collaborators, rather than taken of subjects. Spanning three continents and mobilising diverse visual languages, from techno-sphere studio assemblages, to staged street scenes, to intimate portraits behind closed doors, to paper samosa packets evocative of Delhi street vendors, the works in this exhibition present a range of photographic strategies for solidarity: Anna Ehrenstein’s 'Tools for Conviviality'* is a collection of visual ephemera about the usage of tools for various modes of human togetherness. It is the result of collaborative visual and oral research conducted together with Awa Seck, Thibaut Houssou, Nyamwathi Gichau, Lydia Likibi, Donkafele and Saliou Ba. Ashfika Rahman’s 'Files of the Disappeared' portrays victims of political injustice in Bangladesh. She also shows the places where the bodies of so-called criminals have been found after “clashes” with the police. Rahman’s intimate, long-term mode of documentary image-making is based around extensive interviews conducted with the survivors of police torture and enforced disappearances, as well as with the relatives of those who did not return. In conducting these interviews, Rahman worked closely with experienced trauma counsellors, with the resulting collaborative process being as much healing and catharsis, as it is about any specific image. The portraits are anonymised by gold stitching, overlaid onto the photographs, and accompanied by hand-written notes of testimony, translations of which can be found in each image’s pop-up caption. Nida Mehboob’s 'Shadow Lives' engages with the experiences of the highly marginalised Ahmadi community in Pakistan. Collated as a survival guide for the Ahmadi of Pakistan, the project brings together staged photographs, produced together with members of the community, alongside archival press cuttings chronicling the long history of widespread abuse and discrimination faced by the Ahmadi in their everyday lives. Rooted in empowerment, the project seeks to gather allies in this ongoing struggle for dignity and fundamental human rights. Turbine Bagh is an artists’ solidarity movement initiated by artist and architect Sofia Karim, in response to, and in collaboration with, the protest movement around Shaheen Bagh in Delhi. It is a joint artists’ movement against fascism and the rise of far-right nationalism in India and beyond. The samosa packets featured in this exhibition are comprised of images contributed by Shuchi Kapoor, Shahidul Alam, Ronny Sen, Rohit Saha, Abul Kalam, the Nepal Picture Library, and Monorom Polok. The strategies proposed through this exhibition remain tentative and exploratory. We can, and must, continue, collectively, to grapple with photography’s long and difficult history as a technology of colonial oppression and its role in establishing and maintaining racialised modernity. COLLABORATION > CONTROL is the winner of the FORMAT21 Open Call Award. COLLABORATION > CONTROL was selected by FORMAT21 Open Call Juror – Skinder Hundal, Director of Arts, British Council. *Anna Ehrenstein is the recipient of the C/O Berlin Talent Award 2020, and Tools for Convivialityis being shown in a debut institutional solo exhibition at C/O Berlin, from 27/03–05/06/2021. The extracts from the project are shown in this exhibition with the kind permission of C/O Berlin.