Funny, insightful, and moving, Alfian Sa’at’s award-winning Nadirah wrestles with the complex issue of  religion and race by grounding it in a story about a quirky family and the ties that bind. The issues explored in the play reflect contemporary concerns within Malaysian society, and which form the bases for much of the work carried out by SIS.

“We feel that this is a great opportunity to introduce the Malaysian public to the issues that SIS works on, and provides an entertaining way ofgetting people to think more deeply and compassionately about potentially divisive issues,” said SIS Executive Director Ratna Osman at the press conference today.

As a non-profit organisation, SIS relies partially on funds raised from public donations. These funds are allocated to a variety of services that SIS provides, including the SIS Legal Clinic known as ‘Telenisa’ which provides free gender-sensitive legal advisory services to the Muslim public. Since its inception in 2003, it has assisted over 6000 individuals.

SIS also believes in empowering women as agents of change within their own communities. In 2011, SIS’s nationwide workshops on women’s rights and Islam were attended by over 2000 women.

SIS recognises the arts as a medium for creating positive social change and strongly supports it. The organisation is committed to bridging the arts and  activism. Notably, proceeds from ticket sales that night will be divided between ICT and SIS.

“We approached SIS because the play raises issues that affect all of us, and these are issues that SIS has encountered for a long time through its work in the trenches,” said Jo Kukathas.

Tickets for that night are available for RM200, and can be purchased from SIS. All purchases will be considered donations and therefore tax exempted.