Hussein Rashid writes for CNN: My Take: What Tsarnaev gets wrong about Islam

By Hussein Rashid, Special to CNN

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the Boston Marathon bomb suspects, reportedly wrote that “an attack against one Muslim is an attack against all” on the wall of the boat in which he was hiding from police last month. Variations of this refrain seem to be common among angry young Muslim men, especially those who are attracted to violence. However, such a view ignores history, religious thinking and contemporary reality. It should be seen as a crass advertising slogan rather than a declaration of belief.

Tsarnaev’s quote seems to be based on the idea of a global Muslim community, called the ummah, that has always been aspirational. The Tsarnaev brothers clearly felt that they were being marginalized, and the fact that they did not belong to an American Muslim community further reinforced that belief. So the brothers turned to the idea of the ummah, a historical fiction that has not existed in practice in all of Muslim history. Muslims are too varied to connect to one way of being a community.

Click here to read more: My Take: What Tsarnaev gets wrong about Islam – CNN Belief Blog – CNN.com Blogs.

The Naad-e-Ali in Ottoman Calligraphy, and Other Shia Inscriptions

AN INTRODUCTION TO NAAD-E-ALI By Hussein Rashid

Who is the Ali, the universal hero of Islam? The last of those who are known as the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the greatness of Imam Ali (a.s) is best represented by story of Khaybar. The story begins that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s) laid siege to the fort of Khaybar, but the walls were so well-fortified that the army could not break through. The Angel Gabriel came to the Prophet Muhammad and told him to recite the naad-e ali:

Click here to read at http://simergphotos.com | Simerg Photos.

Hussein Rashid was invited by Middle Church to preach. He delivers on Islam’s message of Mercy and Compassion

http://vimeo.com/50023841

All related Hussein Rashid: http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/tag/hussein-rashid/

Hussein Rashid: Locating the Sacred in a New York Church

Many people, myself included, believe that art can build bridges. But the same day that a new festival started in New York that was supposed to do just that, the world was aflame because of another piece of art.

I have been to a fair number of programs where an artistic expression is considered a panacea. There is little thought to curation, conversation, or contemplation. Like anything of value, to make art a tool for bridge-building takes effort. When I attended the opening night of the Locating the Sacred Festival, I heard and saw the power I believe that art has. It was not only well-conceived, but it was also living proof that difference doesn’t have to lead to exclusion.

via Qawwalis, Found Sounds, and Benghazi: Locating the Sacred in a New York Church | On Being.

Spiritual Living Reviews All-American: 45 American Men on Being Muslim

All-American: 45 American Men on Being Muslim. White Cloud. (I Speak for Myself). 2012. c.256p. ed. by Wajahat Ali & Zahra T. Suratwala. illus. ISBN 9781935952596. pap. $16.95. REL

Too various for a simple description, this fascinating book brings together 45 brief testimonies from American men who are Muslim, men who run the full range of experience, identity, and persuasion—gay and straight, convert and birthright, immigrant and native, conservative and radical. These candid and unfailingly fascinating life-writings should give us all hope that it is possible to see Islam as a faith, and not a threat.

VERDICT This volume should appeal not only to Muslim readers, but to the broad spectrum of readers interested in contemporary American spirituality, as well as men’s religious experience. A complementary volume in the series, I Speak for Myself: American Women on Being Muslim, was published in 2011.

http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2012/07/books/

Facebook – Amazon – Blog – Related Ismailimail – Contributor Hussein Rashid

The 1000-year-old Muslim Perspective on Meat Eating | Religion Dispatches

Last week’s Sightings newsletter notes that a recent New York Times essay contest on the ethics of meat eating doesn’t deal with religion in any meaningful way:

[The winning] essay makes its arguments without referring to religion. Yet for many vegetarians and meat-eaters, one’s diet and its ethical implications is based on religious law, or one’s spirituality.

All-American: 45 American Men On Being Muslim

All-American: 45 American Men On Being Muslim: Introduction written by Wajahat Ali, on the recently published book: All-American: 45 American Men on Being Muslim (I SPEAK FOR MYSELF). Dr. Hussein Rashid’s article is part of the book.

American and Muslim.

To some, this might seem like the greatest oxymoron since military intelligence, or affordable housing, or…American Muslim.

According to the essays compiled in this book, however, there at least forty-five men whose narratives prove that individuals can live and identify fully as both Muslim and American—without conflict.

More www.huffingtonpost.com.
also at http://www.altmuslimah.com/a/b/reva/4639/

Everyday Art: Islamic Contribution to American Music

http://digitalrepository.smu.edu/meadowsmuseum_programs/4/

Dr. Hussein Rashid: What Does Islamic Music Have to do With Blues, Jazz, and Surf Rock? More Than You Think. | FrontRow

By Bill Holston – What do Bruce Springsteen, Mahalia Jackson, and John Coltrane all have in common? Well according to Dr. Hussein Rashid of Hofstra University each bear witness to the Islamic Contribution to American Music. This was the title of his lecture at my law school alma mater, Southern Methodist University.

The lecture was fascinating. Dr. Rashid began by discussing the fact that there several waves of Islamic/Arabic immigration to America. First, was the heartbreaking slave trade, which included Muslim Africans. He pointed out that they were not permitted to practice their faith and their ritual drums were prohibited, and thus began a tradition of music which have come down to us as “Negro Spirituals.” He played a brief clip of the Adhaan, the Mussein’s Call to Prayer, followed by Mahalia Jackson’s Amazing Grace. The Adhaan is based on the Arabic musical system with wavy intonation. The fluttering notes of Mahalia Jackson clearly reflect the chant of the Adhan, in a really surprising manner.

More: What Does Islamic Music Have to do With Blues, Jazz, and Surf Rock? More Than You Think. | FrontRow.

Islamic influence on popular culture focus of UTA forum

Islamic influence on popular American music will be the main topic at forum Thursday at the University of Texas at Arlington.

The discussion: “Everyday Art: Islamic Contribution to American Music,” will feature Hussein Rashid, adjunct professor of religion at Hofstra University. The discussion, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled from 7 p.m. Thursday, in Room 204 of the UTA’s Architecture Building, 601 W. Nedderman Dr.

Rashid spoke last year at UTA about Islamic influence on popular music, dance, architecture and literature. This year, he will explore Islamic impact on music and meditative traditions, according to a press release from the university.

“Dr. Rashid is able to reach experts and novices alike and sustain their interest,” said Melia Belli, assistant professor of Asian art history in UTA’s Department of Art and Art History.

via Extra Credit: Islamic influence on popular culture focus of UTA forum.

UT Arlington Islamic Art and Culture Forum focuses on American music

ARLINGTON, Texas – Billie Holiday’s wavy intonation has its roots in the Muezzin’s call to prayer, scholars say. The syncopated riffs and rhythms of blues guitar legend John Lee Hooker echo a traditional call and response, with painful lyrics about life, love and faith.

The bebop and cool jazz of American music will be explored when The University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Liberal Arts and School of Architecture welcome back Hussein Rashid, adjunct professor of religion at Hofstra University, to the campus next week for the discussion, “Everyday Art: Islamic Contribution to American Music.”

Rashid will explore Islamic impact on the musical and meditative traditions from such greats as John Coltrane to hip-hop’s Mos Def.

The lecture will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 12, in room 204 of the Architecture Building, 601 W. Nedderman Drive.

via UT Arlington Islamic Art and Culture Forum focuses on American music | Cision Wire.

Dallas: Islamic Contribution to American Music – Sponsored by Aga Khan Council for Northern Texas

https://www.facebook.com/events/209115169192497/
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3178156770646&set=oa.390540040963982&type=1&theater

The Diacritical Point and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) by Hussein Rashid

By Hussein Rashid

Some months ago when I first wrote this piece, I was thinking about the beginning of Ramadan. Today, a few months on I am thinking about the beginning of Navroz, the Persian New Year. There are beginnings everywhere. The Qur’an begins with the fatihah. There is a tradition that the entirety of the knowledge of the Qur’an can be found in the fatihah; the entire fatihah is contained in the first line, bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim, everything in that phrase is found in bismillah; all of that knowledge is found in the first letter, beh – a boat-shaped letter with a dot underneath; all of the knowledge of the beh is found in the dot, and that dot is Hazrat Ali. The fatihah begins our prayers; it begins our interaction with revelation. All of that is encompassed in a dot. That dot is Hazrat Ali. The first dot of the Qur’an, the meaning of the Qur’an, the beginning of the line of Imams, Hazrat Ali (a.s.). Who is the king of men? Who is the Lion of God? Who is the hero without peer? Who is Hazrat Ali?

Click here to read http://simerg.com/literary-readings/.

Video Interview with Hussein Rashid

http://www.husseinrashid.com/about-me.html

The Power of Pop Culture, by Hussein Rashid

During our panel discussion last Wednesday, we ended up talking about the question of cultural production and whether it is actually a sign of societal acceptance. I think there is a strong debate that must be had regarding the production and consumption of things like music and television. However, I am more interested in what artistic creation can tell us about how Muslims see themselves in the US or the UK. For me, the key issue is one of crafting a national narrative. That narrative is shaped and reflected through popular culture.

Playwright and political commentator Wajahat Ali draws a distinction between two types of artistic production. The first he calls “for us, by us.” This is art that is created by Muslims for Muslims.

More at http://blog.britishcouncil.org.

Three Questions for American Muslims: Hussein Rashid

The Muslim Portal at Patheos is hosting the “Three Questions” project for the month of September in conjunction with the tenth anniversary of the terrorist acts of 9/11. We are asking American Muslims from across the nation three simple but important questions. Click here to learn more about the project.

Hussein Rashid, an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and a writer, media personality, and consultant, offers his answers to the three questions:

1. What is the most pressing issue or concern for you as a Muslim in America today, 10 years after the tragedy of 9/11?

Questions and Answers at the source: http://www.patheos.com/.

University of Texas at Austin: “Everyday Art: The Islamic Impact on American Arts”

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. – Texas Union, Santa Rita Suite (3.502)

Presented by Dr. Hussein Rashid, Professor of Religious Studies, Hofstra University, New York

A reception to meet the speaker follows the program.

American popular culture—the art that surrounds us every day—reflects the tremendous cultural diversity of the American people, and helps to shape the way Americans understand themselves. Perhaps the least understood of these influences is the cultural impact of the various Muslim communities that have settled in the United States.

Starting from the period of slavery and continuing through to the present day, the tapestry of influences that converge in popular music, architecture, and literature—the arts we engage with every day—bears witness to the presence of Muslims in America.

In this richly illustrated talk, Dr. Hussein Rashid explores the Islamic impact on American popular culture using examples from multiple communities and time periods throughout American history.

This program is generously sponsored by His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for the Southwestern United States.

via UT College of Liberal Arts.

No Such Thing As a Great 9/11 Work of Art | Religion Dispatches

Over at The Daily Dish, Andrew Sullivan asks “Has There Been a Great 9/11 Work of Art?” I don’t know if I’m qualified to answer that question. However, I do think it’s too narrow a view of art and what 9/11 means to us. If art is meant to reflect what we hold dear as a society, and what represents us, I do not think we will ever get a great 9/11 work of art. The day means too much to each of us, and in many different ways.

I think the better question is how has 9/11 changed the art we are interested in, and the subsequent question of what that says about us. There are works of literature that I do not think could have been written without the events of 9/11, and some that would not have gotten the attention they did.

via No Such Thing As a Great 9/11 Work of Art | Religion Dispatches.

Teachers from around the country attend webinar on “The State of Muslims in America”

The webinar “The State of Muslims in America: Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of September 11th, 2001,” featured a presentation by Hussein Rashid of Hofstra University, welcomed participants from Miami, Washington D.C., and California among other location in the United States and beyond. The session was moderated by Outreach Center Curriculum Coordinator Anna Mudd. This webinar was the second in a series of programming on the 10th Anniversary of September 11th, 2001, including webinars for educators, lesson plans, and a campus wide panel discussion.

via Teachers from around the country attend webinar on “The State of Muslims in America” | The Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University.

See a recording of this session here

Museum of Fine Arts Houston: Artful Thursday: High Notes – Presented by Hussein Rashid

Presented by Hussein Rashid – Adjunct professor, Hofstra University; associate editor, Religion Dispatches

Houston – Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Up to thirty percent of the slaves brought to the United States from Africa were Muslim. They spoke and wrote Arabic, and carried a rich musical tradition. Centuries’ worth of Muslim instrumental and singing traditions were combined with those of other cultures encountered in the United States, eventually forming blues, jazz, rock, and hip-hop—uniquely American musical genres.

This Artful Thursday program is generously supported by His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for the Southwestern United States.

via MFAH | Artful Thursday: High Notes – Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM.