47 46 Before lockdown the Ahmadiyya MuslimWomen’s Association was an active groupmeeting regularly, with a strong support structure; during lockdown this physical contact became virtual. When the opportunity arose in 2021 to take part in a study project by PhD student Rachel Holmes, several of the women jumped at the chance tomeet up. They walked regularly in BourneWoods, observing their surroundings closely and catching up; the handicraft panels they afterwards produced were stitched into a wall hanging. While lockdown was a shock to Naveed, she felt okay because she understood the need for it. A naturally social woman, she found, “Walking in the group was amazing... (We) became aware of each other’s wellbeing and issues and how others were dealing with Covid. The forest reminded of my childhood asmy father was in the Army. I made it abstract, the silver birch trees, the heather, the pebbles & stones and our houses at the edge of the forest, the clear skies and beautiful greenery.” Fouzia looked forward to the opportunity to join the group. She had recently moved to Aldershot to be close to the mosque but it had closed in lockdown. Unable to visit, she found her surroundings comforting. “We went to a quiet area, higher up and I felt I am standing inMubarakMosque, feeling the peace I feel there.” Her work representedmemories of her feelings and difficulties on the road of her life. Sobia loved the idea of walks and creating art but was unable to join due to pregnancy. After her friend Fouzia started telling her about the walks she imagined herself there. “I felt I would get refreshed by fresh air, and the calmnoise of water with singing birds. The greenery would be soothing for my eyes and the bright coloured leaves and flowers on grass in sun would make me free fromall negatives and I will be a happier person in nature... I would sense the healing power of nature more closely. So I tried to show how every thing would have affectedmy head literally.” It was interesting how Sobia and Fouzia, working from the same descriptions, interpreted and produced such different work. Walking group interviewed by Sameea Jonuud, 2022
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