An atheist, Muslim and Catholic swapped schools. This is what happened

By Michael Lallo

L-R: Atheist Sonya Gerstel, Muslim Amna Chaudhry and Catholic Martina Vitale immersed themselves in each other’s schools, homes and cultures over the course of one term.Credit:Dan Peled

Muslims are secretive, sexist and dangerous; Catholic priests cast “spells” using sticks bearing the figure of a dying martyr; and secular white Australians are alcoholic bogans who believe footwear in public is optional.

When it comes to cultural cliches, the teenage participants in SBS’s provocative three-part social experiment The Swap offer some doozies – even if they don’t hold these views themselves.

“Australia likes to pretend we’re a multicultural melting pot but we all live in our own silos,” says Ali Kadri, the experiment’s creator and CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane (commonly referred to as ICB). “If you never engage with people who are different, that leads to division, mistrust and conflict.”

An imam’s warning that some music can ‘incite carnal desires’ divides the students – including many Muslims.

Born and raised in India, Kadri emigrated to Australia to escape the sectarian violence and anti-Muslim riots that killed his first cousin and many friends. Dismayed by the growing “silos” of his adopted country, he devised a novel exercise: over the course of one term, he’d allow a dozen secondary students and their families (a mix of atheists, Muslims and Catholics) to immerse themselves in each other’s schools, homes and cultures.

Ali Kadri, the architect of SBS’s The Swap and CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane.Credit:SBS

A small minority of parents were incensed, with one likening Kadri to a cancerous tumour in need of excision. It took six months of wrangling to get the program approved and it does not shy away from depicting teenagers’ resistance to having their beliefs challenged – or the moments they change their minds. The first episode, filmed at ICB, shows Isaac (a Catholic who adores 1980s rock) perplexed by an imam’s proclamation that “music with lyrics that incite carnal desires is forbidden”.

To assume that all of Isaac’s Muslim peers endorse this edict is wrong: many admit to enjoying rap, R&B and Korean pop themselves. Meanwhile, atheist Sonya bristles at the imam’s insistence upon dietary abstinence as a tool to suppress hormonal passions. “The intensity of your desires will determine how many days you need to fast,” he explains.

No wonder Kadri’s biggest fear was that instead of building bridges, his experiment might inadvertently blow them up.

Matching each participating student with a “buddy” from a different school proved a wise move. What began as an ice-breaker often culminated in close and enduring friendships.

L-R: Sonya Gerstel from Ferny Grove State High School, Amna Chaudhry from the Islamic College of Brisbane and Martina Vitale from Mount Alvernia Catholic College became firm friends during filmingCredit:Dan Peled

“When Laila, one of our Muslim students, went to [Catholic] Mount Alvernia, she had to wash herself before praying but of course there were no dedicated facilities there,” Kadri says. “As she was washing her feet in the bathroom sink, her buddy stood guard to make sure no one said anything and Laila said that made her feel really good.

“Education is not limited to maths and science. I genuinely believe that learning how to live and interact with each other is just as important.”

Ahead of The Swap’s premiere, we spoke with three students, all in their mid-teens, about how this experiment changed their lives.

Sonya Gerstel, Ferny Grove State High School

I’m an atheist so I don’t believe in any particular deity or faith. I won’t lie: there were times when all I wanted to do was argue and protest if I believed, deep down, that I was right. But that’s not how life works. We all have beliefs that conflict and part of growing up is being open-minded enough to acknowledge those beliefs – and even seeing the merit in them – while staying true to yourself. As technology develops and we become more globalised, we need to make sure that no one is left behind.

Gerstel says The Swap ‘made me less judgmental and less quick to make assumptions’.Credit:Dan Peled

I learned so much, including [Islamic] rules around food. In the first episode, you’ll see what I call “baking-gate”, where I brought a quiche with ham to ICB. Seeing the girls’ reactions to something I’d considered so normal really changed my perspective.

This whole process has definitely made me less judgmental and less quick to make assumptions. By the end, we’d formed this girl gang that included students from all the different schools and it felt awesome to have such healthy female friendships.

Once filming finished, my mum and I celebrated by jetting to Sydney with my two gay uncles to see a drag show and it was amazing. Apart from the friendships I made, the best part was learning things that not all other students have the opportunity to learn – and to meet people with differing beliefs and values and still find a way to get along.

Amna Chaudhry, Islamic College of Brisbane

You know the stereotype that if one Muslim does something bad, all Muslims are like that? That was my biggest fear. I was the only one wearing a hijab when I visited the Catholic school and while a couple of girls gave me looks, I was shocked at how quickly I became close with [my assigned buddy] Martina and all her friends. They were so sweet and nice and I loved hanging out with them. It really changed my mind about the fact you can’t judge someone before you meet them.

Chaudhry believes the series will help others understand that most people ‘have a lot more good than bad in them’.Credit:Dan Peled

Martina and I are way more similar than we are different; really, the main difference is our religions. I didn’t know much about Catholics and their rituals, like the whole biscuit and wine thing in mass, so it was interesting to learn about that.

“What surprised me most is how much more similar we are than we think. Regardless of our backgrounds, we’re all just teenagers.”

I’ve been shy my whole life and suddenly I had to go into a new environment and make friends, which was very challenging but something I definitely needed to do.

I think the more we have programs like this, the more we can see that most people have a lot more good than bad in them and that it’s possible to put aside our stereotypes and live in peace.

Martina Vitale, Mount Alvernia Catholic College

I think the media has the biggest influence on stereotypes about Muslims because they’re often shown in a bad light. All the good things they do don’t get much prominence so people end up with this idea of them being terrorists.

Vitale says The Swap made her more open to new experiences.Credit:Dan Peled

I really think people should watch The Swap because if you don’t, you’ll just be sucked into what the media says and never fully understand what the Muslim faith actually is.

What surprised me most is how much more similar we are than we think. Regardless of our backgrounds, we’re all just teenagers.

Amna and I had a connection right from the start and not only have we kept in touch, I’m still close with her friends from the Islamic College.

The opportunity to go into a mosque and learn something new has made me more open-minded and welcoming of any opportunity that comes my way. I’d do this experiment 100 more times if I could because there was never a dull moment with Amna; we could actually rely on each other and we just stuck together like glue.

WHAT: The Swap
WHEN: SBS, Wednesday March 8, 8.30pm

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