islamicate

‘Ms. Marvel’: More options for who gets to save the world - CSMonitor.com

‘Ms. Marvel’: More options for who gets to save the world - CSMonitor.com.

“This is the power of story,” says Dr. Rashid. “It’s not lecturing at you. It’s saying, ‘Here’s this character’s experience. We’re inviting you to that experience and inviting you to think and reflect on your own experiences.’ And that’s the work of great art.”

More On That Now: A Spoleto Discussion Series | Spoleto Festival USA 2021

More On That Now: A Spoleto Discussion Series | Spoleto Festival USA 2021.

The Crusades, 1000 years later 

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 

6:00pm ET 

REGISTER 

Registrants will receive an access link via email on the day of the discussion. 

Test your historical knowledge: Who “won” the holy wars? It may come as no surprise to hear there are varying perspectives on the Crusades’s causes and repercussions. By some accounts, nation-states and Islam emerged, while other accounts describe a region ravished and sectarian. Dating back over a millennium, these conflicts are a foundational example of how religion and ideology have been used throughout history to forcibly change societies. Taking inspiration from Unholy Wars—a new opera receiving its world premiere during Spoleto in 2022—panelists Ethel Sara Wolper (Professor, University of New Hampshire), Ussama Makdisi (Professor, Rice University), and Zeyba Rahman (Senior Program Officer for the Building Bridges Program, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art) will discuss rare accounts of contemporary Muslim life as a result of this time period.

Spoleto’s ongoing discussion series returns with a new focus and expanded scope. More On That Now will cover a wide range of topics drawing inspiration from themes found in the upcoming 2022 Festival program and the broader artistic industry. Expert panelists will gather virtually and address the arts’ connection and intersection with religion, education, social justice, and identity politics. Dr. Hussein Rashid—an educator and academic whose research focuses on Muslim and American pop culture—will serve as the series-long moderator.

Exploring Omar Discussion Series | Spoleto Festival USA 2020

Exploring Omar Discussion Series | Spoleto Festival USA 2020.

Omar Ibn Said definitively arrived on the shores of Charleston as a Muslim. And while we know he was a forced member of a Christian family and belonged to a Presbyterian church at the time of his death, can we say for sure he departed this life as a Christian? This conversation examines the latter end of Ibn Said’s life and discusses how religion has, throughout U.S. history, drawn people to resist or remain resilient in the context of social justice. Hussein Rashid, a professor at The New School in New York City, whose research focuses on Muslims and American popular culture, serves as moderator.

“Making the US: Muslims, Race, and Class” on Vimeo

“Making the US: Muslims, Race, and Class” on Vimeo.

AVACGIS Guest Lecture Series with Hussein Rashid, on "Making the US: Muslims, Race, and Class", moderated by Jennifer Victor (George Mason University) | November 10, 2020: islamicstudiescenter.gmu.edu/events/11587

"Making the US: Muslims, Race, and Class" from Ali Vural Ak Center for Global I on Vimeo.

AVACGIS Guest Lecture Series with Hussein Rashid, on "Making the US: Muslims, Race, and Class", moderated by Jennifer Victor (George Mason University) | November 10, 2020:
https://islamicstudiescenter.gmu.edu/events/11587

If you would like to be informed about the Center programs, please subscribe to the AVACGIS mailing list at the following link:
https://gmu.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=363affc885e5927d7734f38bc&id=6abb26ce76

Islamic Studies Center | Events: Making the US: Muslims, Race, and Class

Islamic Studies Center | Events: Making the US: Muslims, Race, and Class.

Historically, the United States has defined itself in opposition to groups and ideas, from monarchies to poor people. The 2020 election has strong historical echoes with how the country defined itself at its founding, against Muslims and against Blackness. This talk will trace those echoes, and explore how Muslims are not immune to the racial dynamics of the country.

Muslims in the Movies — Kristian Petersen | Harvard University Press

Muslims in the Movies — Kristian Petersen | Harvard University Press.

Muslims in the Movies provides a series of essays that explore the portrayal and reception of Muslims in Euro-American film, transnational productions, and global national cinemas. The volume brings together a group of internationally recognized experts to introduce Muslims in the films of Europe, North America, Australia, Iran, Egypt, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The interdisciplinary collection explores issues of identity, cultural production, and representation through the depiction of Muslims on screen and how audiences respond to these images. Together, the essays operate as an introduction to the subject of Muslims and film for new readers while also serving as new works of critical analysis for scholars of cinema.

Muslim Narrative Change Cohort - PIllars Fund

Muslim Narrative Change Cohort - PIllars Fund.

A group of brilliant Muslim artists, practitioners, academics, and thinkers who, together, are creating a transformative narrative strategy that will offer us the opportunity to change stories, ideas, behaviors and, ultimately, society.

As Ismailis, We Should all Care about Climate Change. | IsmailisRiseUp

As Ismailis, We Should all Care about Climate Change. | IsmailisRiseUp.

Our generation is faced with a daunting task: stop climate change. But how? Dr. Rashid, who has witnessed his home city of New York transition from a sub-temperate to a sub-tropical climate in his lifetime, explains that it is more than just individual responsibility. There are individual choices that we can make but ultimately when a handful of corporations are responsible for over 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is hard to place responsibility on individuals. That does not mean, however, that we as individuals do not have power. Dr. Rashid says, 

Those companies are all regulated by our governments. They are not governments in and of themselves and we can see the ways in which these companies are leveraging governments to not pay any taxes in the context of the United States, to have environmental regulations lifted for them, to get waivers for themselves. They don’t actually vote anybody in. They simply use the money we give them to then buy policies and politicians that create policies that are harmful to us. So essentially, we are paying for our own destruction. And so for me as an individual, I think about the individual things I can do to protect the environment, and I can make an individual decision as to where I am going to do my business.

Webinar: Truth, Justice, and the Spiritual Way - Imam Ali as Super-hero

Ms. Marvel’s America: Looking toward a superhero in challenging times | Goshen College

Ms. Marvel’s America: Looking toward a superhero in challenging times | Goshen College.

“Superheroes, of course, can’t swoop in and save us in times of crisis. But they can demonstrate ways for us to help each other with the tools we do have at hand,” says Goshen College Professor of English Jessica Baldanzi. 

A new book edited by Baldanzi and Hussein Rashid, a religious studies scholar, professor and interfaith activist, aims to combat the notion of a “stereotypical” superhero. “Ms. Marvel’s America: No Normal” features essays about being Muslim and female in the Marvel Universe.

Tweeting the Qur'an #Quran #Ramadan #ttQuran 2020/1441

Traditionally, Muslims read the Qur'an in its entirety during Ramadan, in a section a day. The Qur'an is split into thirty sections, called juz', and one section is read each night. 

This year is the 12th year I am inviting people to tweet the Qur’an for Ramadan. I will be tweeting @islamoyankee.

Starting in 2019, I expanded the invite and encourage people share commentaries and art work. I am excited by the commentaries offered over at Sapelo Square, and I encourage you to check them out for yourselves. I'll also be tweeting commentaries from the Prophet's beloved family. In addition, you can find archives of beautiful artwork online at various museum and artist websites. Please give credit when you post these images.

NB: Because of the physical distancing we have to go through this year, I will aim to post English and Arabic this year, and will most likely be posting more during the day, than at night.

To see how the call has (not) evolved, here are the six call outs:

2009 Windsor Star Article

2010 (despite the title, which says 2011)

2011 USA Today Article

2012

2014 A piece I did on Immanent Frame

 

The Background [from the 2009 post]

This year, I have been thinking it would be fun to tweet the Qur'an for Ramadan. Coincidentally, Shavuot came, and several people I follow on Twitter tweeted the Torah. Since that experience seemed to be successful, it further cemented my belief that this would be a good idea.

I remain grateful to Aziz Poonawala (@azizhp), who helps me refine our guidelines and provide technical feedback every year.

Our guidelines from last year:

1. Anyone is welcome. You do not have to be Muslim.
2. The point is to provide greater access to the Qur'an, so please tweet in English, regardless of the language you read in. Multiple language tweets are welcome. [2020 Update: Please tweet in whatever language you prefer.]
3. You should tweet verses that appeal to you each night, not the entire juz'. Some of you may wish to do the whole juz', but the idea is that we find comfort in the word of God, and we approach it and understand differently every time we come to it. Each night, there are certain verses that will have more power/resonance. Simply tweet those.
4. Include chapter and verse numbers using "Arabic" numerals, eg. 1:1, 33:72, etc.
5. Some verses may be too long for 140 characters. Split the tweet. Summarize. As you will, but make sure you make it clear what you are doing, and include the verse number.
6. You should feel free to offer commentary on why you chose that verse. If you know some tafsir, please include as well, if relevant.
7. Tags: please include #ttQuran .
8. You do not need to commit to reading/Tweeting every night. However, when you do Tweet, please make sure you are on the same juz as everyone else.

If there are are other guidelines you believe should be included, please leave them in comments and I'll move up some to the main post.

This year, I plan on using the  The Study Qur’an and the translation by Ali Quli Qarai. 

 

Spoleto's Exploring Omar discussion series is a free companion to this year's new opera | Spoleto Buzz

Spoleto's Exploring Omar discussion series is a free companion to this year's new opera | Spoleto Buzz.

On Thurs. March 12 head to the Main Library at 6 p.m. for: Islam and Enslaved Africans in Early Charleston. Brenda Tindal of the International African American Museum moderates a discussion between Charleston County Public Library's historian Nic Butler and The New Schools' professor Hussein Rashid. This year the city celebrates 350 years, which makes it an apt time to discuss all of the city's history, including the influences of enslaved Africans on the introduction of Islam to the Lowcountry.

Do We Still Need Faith in the 21st Century? - Video

Belief without evidence, that’s faith. It’s the cornerstone of religion. For many, it is a centering force that’s essential for navigating life’s mysteries and challenges. But for others, ever-increasing access to information, science, advanced technology has meant a loss of faith, or at least a reckoning with what it means.

 

Do We Still Need Faith in the 21st Century? | The Greene Space

Do We Still Need Faith in the 21st Century? | The Greene Space.

Belief without evidence, that’s faith. It’s the cornerstone of religion. For many, it is a centering force that’s essential for navigating life’s mysteries and challenges. But for others, ever-increasing access to information, science, advanced technology has meant a loss of faith, or at least a reckoning with what it means.

Sounds of Faith at the National Museum of American History

This week we feature selections from the December 8, 2019 Sounds of Faith concert at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

According to Dr. Hussein Rashid a religious literacy expert and cultural competency consultant who teaches at the New School in New York,  if you don’t appreciate the religious and spiritual dimension of music you miss the depth of the genre.

Scholars of religion and biblical literature object to having conference badges coded and scanned

Scholars of religion and biblical literature object to having conference badges coded and scanned.

Hussein Rashid, independent scholar of religion, also tweeted that he’d seen nothing in his conference registration documents to suggest QR codes were a possibility. The society was therefore retroactively changing its terms of attendance, he said, raising the possibility that someone could refuse to be scanned, be denied entry and later challenge the academy legally.

Sesame Workshop Identity Matters Study | Sesame Workshop

I served as a reader for this project.

Sesame Workshop Identity Matters Study | Sesame Workshop.

Building a positive sense of identity is critical to children’s healthy development and, ultimately, to their futures. Seeing characteristics like their race, gender, and religion in a positive light gives kids a pathway to success in school and in life—and research shows that valuing their own identities helps children grow into more confident and accepting adolescents and adults.

Ms. Marvel’s America | University Press of Mississippi

My new co-edited book is available for pre-order.

Ms. Marvel’s America | University Press of Mississippi.

This distinct collection brings together scholars from a range of disciplines including literature, cultural studies, religious studies, pedagogy, and communications to engage with a single character, exploring Khan’s significance for a broad readership.

NYCC ‘19: Wilson, Shammas, Alfageeh & Henderson on Orientalism in comics & the White, Western gaze - The Beat

NYCC ‘19: Wilson, Shammas, Alfageeh & Henderson on Orientalism in comics & the White, Western gaze - The Beat.

Rashid began proceedings by citing theorist Edward Said and describing Orientalism as “a Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient.” The othering that Orientalism does to Asian and Arab cultures, he continued, is “a tool of colonization, a means of convincing people that some people are less worthy of their humanity.” The panellists nodded along, taking this definition as their starting point for discussion. 

In turn, each panelist presented some examples of where we see Orientalism in comics. Rashid mentioned the all-encompassing and highly problematic “Siancong” war recently seen in the pages of History of the Marvel Universe, C.B. Cebulski’s ‘Akira Yoshida’ yellowface act, and the 2011 graphic novel Habibi.

GIA Podcast | Grantmakers in the Arts

GIA Podcast | Grantmakers in the Arts.

Narrative Change Through Satirical Storytelling (podcast #17): Zeyba Rahman, senior program officer for The Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art's Building Bridges Program; Josh Seftel, filmmaker and creator of “The Secret Life of Muslims” series; Hussein Rashid, adjunct faculty member in the Department of Religion at Barnard College who focuses his research on Muslim and American pop culture; and Negin Farsad, Iranian-American writer and comedian who you can find on Netflix, HBO, and other media platforms, are interviewed by Nadia Elokdah, deputy director and director of programs of GIA. They discuss their recent film, The History of Muslims in the US, and share how they have used creative methods for shifting narratives and culture as a strategy towards equity.

Discovering Islam in New York City: a tour of its Muslim History | the.Ismaili

Discovering Islam in New York City: a tour of its Muslim History | the.Ismaili.

Hussein Rashid, professor at Columbia University and himself once the coordinator for CPOI, said he arranged this tour for Jamati members in order to “seize opportunities to expand our knowledge,” following Mawlana Hazar Imam’s general guidance. “As an Ismaili Muslim, I believe it’s important that we learn about and engage with our history in ways that do not isolate us but recognize our role in the world. As a result, I look for opportunities that allow [me] to experience my history and faith and try to share [this] with members of the Jamat.”

My Salaam - Bringing comics to heal and preserve culture in Syrian refugee camps

My Salaam - Bringing comics to heal and preserve culture in Syrian refugee camps.

CYRIC’s founder, A. David Lewis, is himself a comics and graphic novel author. He started the organisation as a way to help Syrian refugee children by preserving their cultural heritage. “Specifically, it focuses on traditional Syrian stories,” CYRIC board member Hussein Rashid explained. “It helps the children, and hopefully will aid in making sure some part of Syrian story culture persists.”

Breaking fast and drawing together: The iftar at Ramadan with Hussein Rashid - Religion News Service

Breaking fast and drawing together: The iftar at Ramadan with Hussein Rashid - Religion News Service.

The holy month of Ramadan is marked by a well-known 30-day fast from sunup to sundown. When the sun goes down, the fast is traditionally broken with water and three dates. To unpack some deeper meaning behind this rigorous and difficult ritual fast, Beliefs producer Jonathan Woodward sat with Dr. Hussein Rashid, Islamic scholar and educator.

How Muslims Have Been a Major Part of American History

How Muslims Have Been a Major Part of American History.

Muslims have been an integral part of American history since the days of Christopher Columbus. The video above explores the many ways Muslims have been involved in everything from politics to sports to art. Even the Statue of Liberty has a connection to Muslims.

For many Muslims, Ramadan is a built-in digital detox program - Religion News Service

For many Muslims, Ramadan is a built-in digital detox program - Religion News Service.

Hussein Rashid, who teaches Islamic studies at The New School, is also trying to cut back on gaming this Ramadan as part of his ongoing pursuit of a more “mindful” use of technology. Back in 2016, Rashid was spending well over an hour on Facebook every day when he decided to log out for the month of Ramadan. 

‘The idea that Facebook promoted a false sense of self was really resonating with me and I started thinking about how Facebook encourages the nafs,” he said, using an Arabic word often used to describe one’s ego or animalistic self. At the end of the month, he realized he was both happier and more productive, engaging in less pointless arguments and idle chatter. The next year, he decided to delete it entirely. 

“For me, part of developing spirituality is being honest with yourself and people you want to connect with,” he said. “Facebook was encouraging my worst attributes, my nafs, my ego, and pushing me to say, ‘Look how great I am. This is what’s happening in my life.’”

Tweeting the Qur'an #Quran #ttQuran #Ramadan 2019/1440

Traditionally, Muslims read the Qur'an in its entirety over this time, in a section a day. The Qur'an is split into thirty sections, called juz', and one section is read each night. 

This year is the 11th year I am inviting people to tweet the Qur’an for Ramadan. I will be tweeting @islamoyankee.

Starting in 2019, I'd like to expand the invite and encourage people share commentaries and art work. I am excited by the commentaries offered over at Sapelo Square, and I encourage you to check them out for yourselves. I'll also be tweeting commentaries from the Prophet's beloved family. In addition, you can find archives of beautiful artwork online at various museum and artist websites. Please give credit when you post these images.

To see how the call has (not) evolved, here are the six call outs:

2009 Windsor Star Article

2010 (despite the title, which says 2011)

2011 USA Today Article

2012

2013 Storify (including press stories)

2014 A piece I did on Immanent Frame

 

The Background [from the 2009 post]

This year, I have been thinking it would be fun to tweet the Qur'an for Ramadan. Coincidentally, Shavuot came, and several people I follow on Twitter tweeted the Torah. Since that experience seemed to be successful, it further cemented my belief that this would be a good idea.

I remain grateful to Aziz Poonawala (@azizhp), who helps me refine our guidelines and provide technical feedback every year.

Our guidelines from last year:

1. Anyone is welcome. You do not have to be Muslim.
2. The point is to provide greater access to the Qur'an, so please tweet in English, regardless of the language you read in. Multiple language tweets are welcome.
3. You should tweet verses that appeal to you each night, not the entire juz'. Some of you may wish to do the whole juz', but the idea is that we find comfort in the word of God, and we approach it and understand differently every time we come to it. Each night, there are certain verses that will have more power/resonance. Simply tweet those.
4. Include chapter and verse numbers using "Arabic" numerals, eg. 1:1, 33:72, etc.
5. Some verses may be too long for 140 characters. Split the tweet. Summarize. As you will, but make sure you make it clear what you are doing, and include the verse number.
6. You should feel free to offer commentary on why you chose that verse. If you know some tafsir, please include as well, if relevant.
7. Tags: please include #ttQuran .
8. You do not need to commit to reading/Tweeting every night. However, when you do Tweet, please make sure you are on the same juz as everyone else.

If there are are other guidelines you believe should be included, please leave them in comments and I'll move up some to the main post.

This year, I plan on using the  The Study Qur’an and the translation about Ali Quli Qarai. 

 

Rabbi Schoolman & Dr. Rashid: Two Prophets, Two Faiths Tickets in New York, NY, United States

Rabbi Schoolman & Dr. Rashid: Two Prophets, Two Faiths Tickets in New York, NY, United States.

Two iconic figures in the Torah, Abraham and Moses, are depicted as prophets in the Quran. We will delve into the differences in the way these two personalities emerge in Jewish and Islamic scripture, what similarities they share and what we can learn about the differences between Islam and Judaism from those depictions. 

Wilbur Awards to celebrate 70 years in Chicago, winners announced for 2019 - Religion News Service

Wilbur Awards to celebrate 70 years in Chicago, winners announced for 2019 - Religion News Service.

Documentary (up to 30 min.) “The Secret History of Muslims in the US,”  Zeyba Rahman, Hussein Rashid, Joshua Seftel, Negin Farsad, Maria Stanisheva; Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, Smartypants Pictures & Animadocs, Brooklyn, New York

Exploring the Intersection of Faith and Environmental Justice with Theologian Hussein Rashid - Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict, and Complexity (AC4)

Exploring the Intersection of Faith and Environmental Justice with Theologian Hussein Rashid - Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict, and Complexity (AC4).

Theologian Hussein Rashid discusses the challenges and possibilities he sees in environmental justice work today.

Muslim Girlhood, Past and Present: A Conversation with Shenila Khoja-Moolji – BLARB

Muslim Girlhood, Past and Present: A Conversation with Shenila Khoja-Moolji – BLARB.

HUSSEIN RASHID: Why did you decide to write a book about Muslim girls and their education? And why Muslim South Asia? SHENILA 

KHOJA-MOOLJI: I had been researching and writing about the convergence on the figure of the girl in international development policy and practice for some time. I noticed that many development campaigns portray girls in the Global South as not only threatened by poverty, disease, and terrorism, but also as holding the potential to resolve these problems.