Minarets, a documentary by Sri Lankan filmmaker Nadya Bhimani Perera was screened for Turkish audiences at Istanbul’s MEF University on 22 March and at Ankara University on 26 March.
The screening in Istanbul was coordinated by Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Istanbul, Aydin Özü, and a Sri Lankan PhD student at Istanbul University, Eranda Mahagamage who was also responsible for subtitling the documentary in Turkish. Opening remarks at the Istanbul event were delivered by Honorary Consul Aydin Özü and in Ankara by Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara, Nilusha Dilmini.
Both screenings were followed by lively Q&A sessions, during which audience members—students, academics, and members of the public—engaged in thoughtful discussions about the film’s themes of identity, cultural continuity, and religious expression. AT MEF University in Istanbul the insights shared by esteemed Islamic scholar, Prof. Emir Eş and in Ankara by Assocıate Prof. Ayse Ersay Yuksel of the Department of History of Turkish Islamic Arts at Ankara Unıversıty added value to the discussion.
Directed by Nadya Bhimani Perera, Minarets explores the rich musical and devotional traditions of Sri Lanka's Muslim communities. The film is the result of extensive research and collaboration with academics, religious scholars, and community practitioners from across the island, shedding light on traditions often hidden from mainstream narratives. From Sufi chants and folk songs to wedding rituals and lullabies, the film traverses both the public and private spheres of music in Muslim life, revealing a cultural heritage that is deeply spiritual, diverse, and resilient.
The screenings, held during the sacred month of Ramadan and coinciding with International Women’s Month, created a meaningful space for intercultural dialogue. The presence of Nadya’s voice in this conversation—a woman filmmaker, and a non-Muslim who explores Islamic heritage with care and authenticity was appreciated much by the audience. As an independent researcher and filmmaker, she has dedicated herself to exploring themes of work, culture and social structures through both documentary and fiction formats. The film also addresses the challenges faced by these traditions such as religious reformism, urbanization, and shifting generational norms, while highlighting the efforts of individuals and communities to preserve their practices.
With a background in Development Studies from the International Institute of Social Studies in the Netherlands, Nadya has long been interested in documenting the experiences of marginalized communities.
The response from the audience expressed an appreciation of how the film, directed by a non-Muslim filmmaker, encompassed extensive research, deep and empathetic engagement with various communities, and a genuine desire to bring to light a cultural tradition that often remains unseen or misunderstood.
Given the interest generated around the film and inquiries by Sri Lankans living in other parts of Türkiye, the Embassy hopes to screen the documentary in several other cities with the support of the Honorary Consuls.
The screenings in Istanbul and Ankara are part of an ongoing effort to bring Minarets to diverse international audiences and enhance appreciation for the pluralistic cultural identities that shape Sri Lanka.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Ankara
05 April 2025
