Define ‘American Muslim’ — You Have Five Minutes

Last updated on: December 8, 2011 at 11:35 pm by Muslimah Media Watch

Define ‘American Muslim’ — You Have Five Minutes 2011-12-08T23:35:10-04:00 Muslimah Media Watch

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Muslim American organization One Nation is hosting an online film contest about American Muslims. Sponsored by Link TV, the contest features animation, music, comedy, documentary, drama, and films by youth. The short films seek to educating people about “the American Muslim experience,” in all its forms.

It’s a great idea. Of course, with twelve pages of entries, you have to sift some clichéd and stereotypical films. Many explain, “Islam is peace” or “I wear hijab so that I’m not judged by my appearance.” Certainly these are relevant message, but at least for a Muslim audience they’re nothing new. What interested me the most were the films that investigated the issues of American Muslim identity at a deeper level.

Some films set out specifically to break stereotypes. The contest as a whole does so naturally, due to the diversity of its entries. Entries feature Muslims of a variety of races — including multiracial, such as a half-Chinese, half-African-American Muslimah featured in at least two videos. A significant number of films show Muslim women without hijab (and without hijab being an issue). On the other hand, some films were disappointingly non-diverse in this regard. One film, a collection of individuals saying, “I am Muslim,” showed Muslims of a range of ages and occupations but not one woman without hijab.

Beyond the male American Muslim identity, many films explore the lives of American Muslim women. I loved the film that showed the struggles of a college Muslim student, who, uncomfortable with praying publicly outside, searches for a private place to make her prayer. I appreciated seeing some films about convert women — not just the strange fictional ones with troubled pasts — but also those whose real-life drama involves worrying about how their families would react. I know I could relate when 23-year-old convert Laura Miller said of the parents she hadn’t yet told, “They probably think I’m betraying my culture, my family, my religion.”

What’s great about hearing a multitude of Muslim voices is that you hear more than just what you’ve heard before, from Muslim snow boarders to the story of a Muslim teenager who impregnates his girlfriend. I saw two interesting films exploring the Iranian-American identity: one that showed Iranian culture through the eyes of an American-born woman and another that showed the attitudes towards an Iranian-American woman in Texas who switched between identities. Some films are sobering; some are heartwarming.

The contest is currently in the finalist stage. Unfortunately, much of the discussion in the comments sections is about rating discrepancy and accusations of cheating. I guess that’s what happens when a contest offers $5,000 per finalist and much more for the grand prize. Besides the finalists, I’d recommend checking out the videos that didn’t make it that far, even if it means sorting through long lists of films to find the ones that make you laugh, cry, or think differently.

Cinema

Web

Previous Post

February 12, 2008

Gossip Girls and Bad Blood in Arab PSA

Next Post

February 14, 2008 My Not-So-Funny Valentine

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advertisements Art/Theater Books/Magazines Cinema Comics/Cartoons Culture/Society Events Fashion Film Friday Links Merchandise/Commodities MMW Announcements MMW Highlights Music/Radio News Photography Politics Profile Ramadan 2012 Ramadan 2013 Ramadan 2014 Ramadan 2015 Roundtable Satire Social Media Sports Technology/Science Television Uncategorized Video Web

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was stoned to death, becoming the first Christian martyr?

Select your answer to see how you score.

James Peter Paul Stephen