Ode to Maila Ahmad | Between passion and activism

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In an in-depth conversation with Maila Ahmad, an inspiring story is shared about her life in Amsterdam, her personal and cultural challenges, and her commitment to human rights and activism. Maila's story is a reflection of balancing between personal dreams and a felt responsibility that stems from her Kurdish origins.
 

Maila Ahmad, originally from Kurdistan, is a 30-year-old woman who was born in Heerenveen and grew up in the Rotterdam area. Her official surname is Ahmad Weston, due to her marriage to a man from Wales, but her original surname, Siani, is connected to her Kurdish roots. Her tribe comes from Bashur in Iraq, an area that lies in Kurdistan.

Maila's work as a video producer and project manager in the film and advertising industry has taken her to various places in the Netherlands, but it was Amsterdam that eventually became her home. For a few months now, she has been working as a freelancer, which gives her the freedom to pursue her passion on her own terms. Her work is more than just a career, it is a means of expressing herself and sharing her creativity with the world.

The journey to Amsterdam

Although Amsterdam was not initially the obvious destination for Maila, it became the city where she could develop her career further. After studying in Breda, she discovered that Amsterdam was the place where she could fully realize her ambition and passion. The city offered her the opportunities she needed in the film and media sector, but at the same time it also brought challenges. The first years in Amsterdam were not easy, mainly due to the busy pace and the different lifestyle of a big city, but over the years the city has become a place where Maila truly feels at home. “Home” is the word Maila uses to describe her bond with Amsterdam. Every time she returns to the city, she feels as if she is coming home, a feeling of security and solidarity.

Between passion and activism
 

Maila's biggest personal challenge lies in finding a balance between her work, her activism and her personal life. She indicates that she is part of a generation that finds itself in a difficult financial situation, in which, for example, buying a house has become increasingly difficult. At the same time, she wants to remain true to her values, to dedicate herself to human rights and to follow her passion, especially in the areas of film and culture. It is a complex struggle: how can she combine her ideals and activism with her need to be financially stable and at the same time spend time with the people she cares about?
 

Another major point of tension is her responsibility as a Kurdish woman. She wants to speak out against the injustice her people have experienced, but she is also aware of the dangers this entails. Maila describes it as a constant struggle to protect herself, especially when she thinks of the possible consequences for her family if she were to be too outspoken. It presents her with an internal dilemma: can she represent her people without endangering her own safety and that of her family?

Maila shares some of the moments that have touched her deeply. One of these moments took place in 2019, when Turkey attacked Kurdish areas in Rojava. It was during this period that her brother told her that they knew where her parents lived, which made her feel anxious. Another event that affected her emotionally was when her mother, who lives in the Netherlands, did not feel safe to say the word 'Kurdistan' out loud in a supermarket. This incident brought to the surface her mother's pain and the invisible obstacles that Kurds experience on a daily basis.
 

Maila was also confronted with the reality of hatred and hostility towards Kurds, especially in Europe, during the organization of the Kurdish Film Festival. The tensions between Kurds and Turks were palpable, and the concerns about the safety of those present were real. These kinds of experiences made Maila more aware of the vulnerability of her community, and at the same time strengthened her motivation to work for human rights. “Not being able to express yourself is terrible; the pain you feel from something like that is not normal. And that goes for all people in the world.”

The Kurdish heritage and the film festival
 

Maila is involved in the Kurdish Film Festival, an event she organizes with other volunteers. It is a platform for sharing the culture, story and history of Kurdistan, but it also has its own challenges. The festival is largely organized on a voluntary basis, with few financial resources, which adds to the tension. Despite its limited resources, the festival continues to grow and offers an important platform for Kurdish and other minority groups. However, the search for financial support remains a major challenge, and the festival often receives funding at the last minute.
 

Maila hopes that her story can be a source of inspiration, especially for women of Middle Eastern descent. She emphasizes that it is possible to respect cultural values and at the same time embrace the freedom to make your own choices. It is a message of empowerment for young women who may be confronted with strict traditional norms. Maila shows that it is possible to remain true to your roots and still be yourself, without having to give up your freedom.

Influential women in her life

The women who have had the greatest influence on Maila are her mother and grandmothers. Maila describes her mother as her rock and her greatest supporter. Her mother taught her that she could achieve anything she wanted, regardless of the obstacles she encountered. Her grandmothers were also pioneers in their own right, fighting against the traditional roles imposed on them. Her father's grandmother, for example, was a strong woman who did not allow herself to be oppressed by the men in her community. These women gave Maila the strength to express herself.
 

A symbol of Kurdish culture

An important symbol of Maila's identity is her jewelry, which often comes from Kurdistan. Her mother gave her a special set of jewelry to remind her of her Kurdish roots. This gift is more than just an accessory; it is a way to honor her culture and wear it as a visible symbol of her heritage.
 

Maila Ahmad's life is an inspiring story of perseverance, love for her culture and human rights activism. Her journey shows that it is possible to follow your dreams, embrace your ideals and at the same time remain true to the values of your origins. For other women, especially those from minority groups, Maila is an example of how to be yourself without compromising the freedom and identity you embrace. Her story shows that life's challenges, no matter how great, can always be overcome through the strength of a community.