03 December, 2007 - Published 12:37 GMT
Ayman Safia: Determined to dance
Ayman Safia talks to Outlook about overcoming cultural taboos to fulfil his dream to dance.
Ayman Safia is a seventeen year old who has managed to win a place at a prestigious dancing school. He tells reporter Joanna Chen:
“I speak from my heart, from my emotions, from my love of ballet. I imagine myself made up of two parts- Ayman the normal person and Ayman the dancer. If you want me to be healthy you need to weld the two parts together….I will never stop dancing as long as I live."
Ayman is the only male Arab at his dance school and he is less experienced than most. Ayman acknowledges that he is used to being different, being brought up in a small village in Galilee where boys play snooker or football and only girls ballet dance.
Growing up Ayman began to dance in secret. He danced in his room and he was afraid that someone would come in and see him- especially his father, who was traditional and old fashioned in his beliefs.
For a time the only person who knew that Ayman wanted to dance was his mother; however, when Ayman’s father was told about his son’s dancing he eventually said “if you really want it go for it.”
Ayman’s first experience of learning dancing was terrible. He was mocked “it really hurt me.”
Ayman’s father also was taunted, for example people would say that his son's dancing wasn’t masculine. But “today these same people are jealous that I have a boy like Ayman and now nobody says anything bad to my face.”
Reluctantly Ayman gave up ballet until he was 'spotted' dancing the traditional Arab dance debka at a local concert. At the end of last year Ayman’s parents agreed that he could study ballet.
Ayman’s dancing mentor said that the first time she saw Ayman she realised he was very special. The love of ballet has overcame differences, including the fact Ayman is Arab:
“I am a person and I believe that we have to be together- the Arabs and the Jews.”
Ayman now has a hectic and busy schedule. He feels like his whole life has changed.
Dancing makes him feel complete.
“My whole body lights up when I talk about ballet.”
When asked about his hopes for the future Ayman says:
“I think in 10 years time you’ll find me not in Israel for sure… I think I’ll be in London. I dream to be a professional dancer… but first I want to open a ballet school here in the village and you can be sure it will be for boys.”