Dance as Gift: Hip Hop Dance, Islam, and Cultural Diplomacy
Friday 20 November to Thursday 26 November 2026
Riverside Pavilion, St Hilda's College
For full detail and to register visit Eventbrite.
A research residency with Mohamad Al Halabi featuring a programme of workshops and events exploring Kinesthetic Sadaqa- Dance as Gift
DANSOX welcomes Mohamad Al Halabi (Freie Universität Berlin) and collaborators for a week-long research residency featuring a programme of workshops and events.
Mohamad's research investigates how Muslim Hip Hop Dance practitioners in contemporary Germany negotiate their cultural identities through movement, spiritual reflection, and community building.
During the residency, workshops will explore the notion of "Kinesthetic Sadaqah" - bridging Susan Leigh Foster’s notion of “Dance as Gift” with the Islamic ethic of Sadaqah (voluntary charity). Dance is treated as a reciprocal offering of time, knowledge, and peace-building (salam). Through panel discussions, autobiographical storytelling, and practical movement workshops, artists and participants will engage in a shared micro-diplomacy of belonging and policymaking.
Please see the agenda for the full list of events. Participants may attend whichever events appeal to them. Workshops are suitable for all levels and experience, and spectators are also welcome. Please note there are no events on Monday 23rd November.
Mohamad Al Halabi is a Syrian-German researcher, choreographer, educator, and community advocate operating at the intersection of Muslim youth identity, migration, and performance studies. Bringing two decades of professional experience to the dance field—including performances and collaborations with renowned ensembles such as Sima Dance Company—he bridges deep, practice-led artistic knowledge with critical scholarly inquiry.
