Meet the women of Oxford who relay their individual experiences about how their internal transformation changed their perception of their surroundings, having a transformative impact on their religious practices. Ithar, Sumaiyah, Akila, and Ayse all carry commonality when it comes to their pride in practicing their faith in any city.

” I was trying to fit into western ideals and trying to do the bare minimum to stay religious, whereas now being religious is something I really love and enjoy being. It affects what you eat, how you dress when you go to a restaurant you can’t enjoy half the menu but its no longer like a chore for me its something you can take great pride in.”

• Ithar Ghalifa, a 22-year-old Interior Architect in the making. Aside from traveling the world and building models, I am passionate about social projects that give back to underrepresented and marginalised groups.
• Sumaiyah Al-Aidarous, 22, from Birmingham, I am a student of medicine. I spend my spare time doing photography, browsing ASOS and updating my Instagram (@sums.adrs)
• Akila Shakir,21 I’m a medical student and held the role of president of the Oxford University Sri Lanka Society. In my spare time, I like to paint landscapes of the places I travel to and watch excessive Louis Theroux documentaries.
• My name is Ayse Gur Geden, 29  I’m from Istanbul, Turkey. I’m doing PhD in Sociolinguistics. I love cooking, having long walks, meeting new people and cultures, and gardening with my toddler at our allotment.