Articles
Muslim-American Activism, Pages 44-45
American Muslim Identity Resurfaces At New York’s Apollo Theater
THE INNER-CITY Muslim Action Network (IMAN) hosted a sold-out Muslim musical arts event on Jan. 23 at Manhattan’s legendary Apollo Theater entitled “Community Café.” Famed as the epicenter of the 1920-1930s African-American literary and artistic Harlem Renaissance, on this night the Apollo showcased key Muslim artists bringing forth a revival in Islamic arts and understanding. The purpose of the event was not just to present a night of celebration and music, but rather a forum for serious dialogue on real issues.
“One of IMAN’s greatest strengths is its ability to draw crowds,” said Ibrahim Abdul-Martin, host of the Saturday night event. “What IMAN does best is take the crowds at these gatherings and motivate them into working toward social change.”
Mingling Eastern hip-hop and religious fervor, the evening’s recurring theme of truth and clarity became quickly apparent. Muslim voices used the IMAN forum to present their daily struggle against miscommunication and misunderstanding in an artistic form. In other words, the music, poetry and prose helped Muslims reconcile their identity with mainstream society’s erroneous stereotypes.
IMAN conference participants were able to address deep conflicts that emerge in misunderstood Muslim identities. As the members of Progress Theater so articulately sang, “People are not interested in my depth and complexity, they are only interested in whether or not they can see my hair...They snap my picture and take my face, leaving my voice and story behind.”
In an open critique of today’s mass media, Progress Theater exposed the discrimination against the veil, and the blind, all-encompassing judgment of all Muslims irrespective of individual background or identity. How are American Muslims still so obviously misunderstood? Although today they are a powerful minority, the voice of American Muslims still remains clouded.
Clearly expressing the pain that American Muslims still feel in their own country, the group paraphrased Malcolm X: “If you stick a knife in my back 9 inches and pull it out 6 inches, that’s not progress. Even if you pull the knife out all the way that’s not progress. Progress is healing the wound, and America hasn’t even acknowledged the knife.”
The IMAN event was intended to create a safe haven of creative expression, allowing American Muslims to deal with issues that reflect self-identity and belongingness, turning cultural expression into social action. Drawing the likes of mainstream singer Mos Def, hip-hoppers Khalil Ismail and Outlandish, and prominent comics like Aasif Mandvi of “The Daily Show,” the Community Café featured inspirational messages from celebrated Muslims in the field of entertainment.
Yet the central issues facing Muslims today still seem to be invalidation. With a concern for the future of Muslim identity, all the artists inspired attendees to focus on creating a mainstream voice—one that advocates peace but is not apologetic about its beliefs. The goal was clear: American Muslim identity must be heard and understood, respected and not feared.
Future IMAN events are also geared toward producing social change and an unapologetic identity. Through the use of arts, IMAN seeks to create cross-cultural understanding. After conducting a year-long study of the NYC Muslim landscape, the group has proceeded to launch events such as the Community Café with great success. For future events and IMAN buzz, visit <www.imancentral.org>.
—Samreen Hooda
