Interview – Asif Khan, Sisters 360
We are delighted to have interviewed Asif Khan, writer of Sisters360, which is coming to the Migration Matters Festival on 21 June as part of it’s UK tour.
Q. Tell us about yourself and Sisters360?
A. I was born and brought up in Bradford, studied at the University there, before moving to London to train as an actor at RADA. I’m a dad of two gorgeous children who are aged 9 and 4 and I now live in South London. Sisters360 is a new children’s play, set in Bradford, about step-sisters Fatima and Salima… the ‘coolest step-sisters in all of Bradford’. They want to enter the ‘Tiny is Mighty’ Skateboarding Competition, however their parents decide to separate with Fatima’s mum moving to London and Salima’s dad choosing to remain in Bradford. The play is about how the sisters navigate this challenge, remain together, practice together and win the competition together.
Q. How did you come across Layna, Maysa and Amaya, the “Hijabi Sisters”?
A. Sisters360 all came from a news article I found about three young Muslim sisters from Hull… Layna, Maysa and Amaya… who wore the hijab and skateboarded. I immediately thought it would make a great new play for kids. I then worked out what the story might be, where the drama might be… but I knew that the central characters would be hijab wearing skateboarding girls. Which immediately breaks so many stereotypes, not just about Muslims, but about girls too. The real sisters were inspired by Sky Brown, who won a medal at the Olympics, and I was then in turn, inspired to write the play because of them.
Q. Have Layna, Maysa and Amaya and their families seen the play and what do they think?
A. They came on the opening performance at Polka Theatre in 2025. It was the first time they had ever stepped foot in a theatre, and the magical thing was that the play was about and inspired by them. It was all filmed on the BBC’s The One Show… and you can hear them speaking before and after the performance… as well as clips of them watching in the audience. It really was a beautiful thing to see!
Q. What are the additional challenges of skateboarding on stage and could Sara Abanur and Farah Ashraf skateboard when you cast them?
A. I had already planned from the beginning for the skateboarding to be done using choreographed dance/movement. I knew it would be very difficult to find two actors who fit the part, who could also skateboard to a high degree! It also might be a little difficult to make ‘real’ skateboarding work on a stage in a theatre play. So it’s all done in a theatrical way and we had a choreographer in the rehearsal room, who helped work out all the skateboarding sequences.
Q. Where does the 360 in the show’s title come from?
A. The original title was actually ‘Hijabs on Boards’… but then Polka Theatre and I brainstormed various others. We wanted something simple… that would capture the essence of the play. Obviously the word ‘sisters’ is important, but also the ‘360’ is a skateboarding reference, with a hint to their lives about to go 360 too!
Q. What are you looking forward to most about your play coming to Sheffield and being part of the Migration Matters Festival?
A. Firstly, for the play to be on in another area of Yorkshire and the fact that it will engage with a whole new community. I hope this important and rare festival attracts many to come along. The play fits well… especially given the fact that the step-sisters are from Somali and Pakistani backgrounds… and although they themselves were British born… their parents or grandparents might have migrated to the UK.
Q. Are there any particular challenges in writing theatre aimed at families and telling real stories?
A. If you took the whole story from reality, there probably would be obstacles along the way about what the real people behind the stories want included, or not. So, I decided to create a completely fictional story… with just the characters themselves inspired by the real sisters. Also, with children’s theatre I always like to build in some magical element and let my imagination run free – that’s why it’s so fun to write children’s theatre and kids love that too. Obviously, the play has to completely capture the audience’s attention for the whole duration – if the kids are bored, you’ll be able to see that! I also want parents to come along and enjoy the play too! So, when writing I’m always making sure there is no dip in energy or momentum – I want the audience to be completely absorbed in the story.
Q. What advice would you give to other parents worrying about the challenges their children face and never feeling represented?
A. Firstly, bring them along to watch Sisters360! They will definitely feel represented with this play. I think it’s a good idea for parents to actively seek out others… role models… who look like them… and they can be inspired by. It’s still hard to find, but there are now more and more novels for example with Asian or black characters, films, and in sport you’re seeing more diversity. If they see other ‘cool’ people who look like them… it will make them feel proud of their own identity. It’s important to let children know that they can achieve anything they want – and if you really work hard at something – you can achieve your dream. Dream big! Don’t let anything hold you back. Especially lack of confidence or feeling like a particular industry is not built for you. All children deserve the same opportunities. Nothing should hold them back.
Q. if Sisters360 could be seen by anyone and change anything across the UK and beyond, who would you love to see it and what would you love it to change?
A. I would love it to make Muslim kids feel proud. There is so much Islamophobia about. I’d love for it to educate those who have never seen characters like this represented… and for it to challenge any preconceived negative connotations they might have to the word ‘Muslim’ or ‘hijab’. I’d love for it to make the world a little bit better and kinder.
Q. As a playwriter what are you working on next or would like to work on and are there any other real life inspirational stories you would like to tell?
A. I’m actually working on several different plays at the moment… as well as holding a few new ideas in my head! Much of my work is inspired by what I see around me, stories I hear, people I see or meet. I hope to bring you my new work soon! And if you’d like to keep updated on what’s next… my website is: www.theasifkhan.com .
For further information on the Migration Matters Festival and to book for Sisters360 visit https://www.migrationmattersfestival.co.uk/programme/sisters360.
