Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Review: Muslims in America: Seven Centuries of History (1312-1998) by Amir Nashid Ali Muhammad

Amir Nashid Ali Muhammad. Muslims In America: Seven Centuries Of History, 1312 1998: Collections And Stories Of American Muslims Beltsville, Maryland: Amana Publications; 1998. 64 pp. Paperback.

The latest version of this book is 84 pages and published in 2001, but I have not read it.

Century by century, the author mentions names of Muslims in that part of the Americas which became the United States. It's a great antidote to the "Columbus" phenomenon of some immigrant Muslims who believe that they brought Islam to the United States when they landed at JFK. It's also a great antidote to the Islamophobes who think that Muslims should be expelled from the United States as if they were last week's cold virus.

The book's bibliography allows the reader to follow up on the tips the author brings to the reader. I hope to learn more about Amir:
In April 1789, an advertisement seeking the capture of a man named Armer (Amir) appeared in the Savannah Georgia Gazette. Armer was about twenty years old when he ran away from the plantation of Thomas Grave in Richmond County, Georgia.  (p. 14)
Richmond County is about 4 miles from my house.

I believe the author is involved with the International Museum of Muslim Cultures in Jackson, Mississippi.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Support Hena Ashraf's New Film Small Delights

"Small Delights is a short fiction film about Aziza, who begins to understand that her love of music makes her quite different from those around her." Hena Ashraf, the director, is using Indiegogo to raise funds to support the project. Like the project on Facebook.



I've published several posts related to Hena Ashraf's work in the past.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

T.J. Al-Alwani Library in Herndon, VA

The T.J. Al-Alwani Library is a department of the International Institute of Islamic Thought. It is now open for use for researchers, students, academics and the public. Read more

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Al-Mutannabi Street Coalition Deserves Your Support

There's a meaningful project I recommend that you support called al-Mutanabbi Street Coalition.

Film: Bilal's Stand

I really thought I had reviewed Bilal's Stand last year, but I see that I never actually posted it. I'm not going to try another review. Just see it. It's a good movie.

Upcoming Interview with Filmmaker Iman Zawahry

Iman Zawahry has directed the short films Tough Crowd and UnderCover. She's also available on Facebook. And, I'm hopeful that I will be able to conduct an interview with her! Submit any questions you want me to ask.

Update: Here's the interview.