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.

Vote for Hussein Rashid to be on the Times Square Billboard

Hussein Rashid is currently on top 5%. Click on Vote for this Profile, at the source to send him to New York’s Times Square Billboard. Last day for voting is September 20th.

Source: http://about.me/hussein.rashid

Out of the Shadows of 9/11: Millennials, Moral Vision, and the Global Groundswell. An event with Professor Hussein Rashid and others

On this tenth anniversary of 9/11, will a new movement of compassion, social justice, and moral calling emerge from the shadows? Will religion be a spark that reignites our moral imagination?

Auburn Seminary is delighted to host an exciting conversation about a new vision for an American social action movement at the 2011 Jack and Lewis Rudin Lecture on September 6th at 7 p.m. at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC in New York City.

Four visionary thought leaders will explore this topic: Valarie Kaur, Director of Groundswell, Auburn’s major new initiative to spark and empower a new multifaith movement for justice, and award-winning filmmaker (Divided We Fall, 2008); Ari Wallach, Co-founder, The Great Schlep and social innovation expert; Beth Zemsky, organizational consultant and social change strategy expert; and Hussein Rashid, Professor of Religion at Hofstra University and Associate Editor at Religion Dispatches.

via Out of the Shadows of 9/11: Millennials, Moral Vision, and the Global Groundswell | The Groundswell Movement.
Register here: http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/8962/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?event_KEY=69828
http://www.auburnseminary.org/ – http://www.groundswell-movement.org

Sufi Soul, The Mystic Music of Islam | World Festival of Sacred Music: Presented and Sponsored by Aga Khan Council

A documentary film by Simon Broughton and William Dalrymple. Post-discussion led by Dr. Hussein Rashid.

Los Angeles – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 – Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm – Cost: Free; reservations required.

The mystical sounds of Islam communicating messages of peace, tolerance and love are reverently captured in the documentary film Sufi Soul by Simon Broughton and William Dalrymple. Sufis believe that it is possible to embrace the Divine Presence through individual restoration. For Sufi followers, music is a way of getting closer to God. This film traces the shared roots of Christianity and Islam in the Middle East and discovers Sufism to be a peaceful and pluralistic bastion with a worldwide following. It features many acclaimed performers, including Abida Parveen and Youssou N’Dour as well as Sain Zahoor, The Galata Mevlevi Ensemble, Kudsi Erguner, Mercan Dede, Goonga and Mithu Sain, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Abdennbi Zizi. Filmmaker Simon Broughton is editor of the world music magazine Songlines – a leader in its field. William Dalrymple is a historian, writer, broadcaster, and founder of Asia’s largest literary festival.

Dr. Hussein Rashid will lead a post-discussion of Sufi musical history

State of Muslims in America: Online Seminar with Hussein Rashid – The Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University

Date: September 1, 2011 – 7:00pm – 8:00pm Speaker: Dr. Hussein Rashid

Join us for a presentation and discussion with scholar Hussein Rashid. As part of our programming surrounding the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11th, 2001, this webinar will explore the issues of Islamophobia with a focus on the progress and challenges that have developed in the ten years since Sept. 11th, 2001.

Register for this webinar here.

Dr. Rashid is an academic, activist, and lecturer. He received his MA and PhD from Harvard’s Near Eastern Languages and Cultures where his dissertation focused on the role of music as a means of integration amongst South Asian immigrants to the US and the UK. His larger research interest is the representation and self-representation of Muslims in America. Learn more about Dr. Rashid’s work here.

Once registered, participants will be given a URL for the virtual classroom location.

via State of Muslims in America: One-Session Webinar | The Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University.

Article by Hussein Rashid: Who is Ali (as), the universal hero of Islam? – City of Brass

Thinking about the beginning of Ramadan. Thinking about the beginning of the Qur’an. Thinking about the line of Imams.

Everything has a beginning. 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 AS. Who is the king of men? Who is the Lion of God? Who is the hero without peer? Who is Hazrat Ali?

I am not here to give the biography of a great man. I am not here to give a history lesson. I am here to talk of the importance of Hazrat Ali to us as Muslims.

Click here to read: Who is Ali (as), the universal hero of Islam? – City of Brass.

Dr. Hussein Rashid joins Advisory Board of British Council’s Our Shared Future

Our Shared Future aims to improve the public conversation about Muslims and intercultural relations in the US and Europe.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/society/belief-in-dialogue/our-shared-future/Our-Network/Advisory-board/
http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/society/belief-in-dialogue/our-shared-future/

Speaking Event with Hussein Rashid: LUMA Chicago on Muslim-American Art

American popular culture reflects the 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. 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 communities and eras throughout American history.

http://islamicate.typepad.com/flyer—islamic-impact-on-american-arts.pdf

Virginia Seminary Welcomes Muslim Scholar Hussein Rashid

ALEXANDRIA, VA- Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) welcomes Dr. Hussein Rashid to campus this week as the Center for Anglican Communion Studies’ (CACS) Visiting Muslim Scholar. During his eight week stay at the Seminary, Rashid will teach a course entitled, “Not so Common Stories: Prophets in the Qur’an and the Bible.”

Rashid, a teacher at Hofstra University and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, was invited to VTS through the Luce Grant housed within CACS. His appointment is part of the Seminary’s continuing effort to encourage deeper cross-cultural conversations within the VTS Community and to equip students to envision new and creative ways to undertake ministry in the world.

“Dr. Rashid’s enthusiasm for interreligious engagement, vast experience, and engaging demeanor will make him extremely popular with our students,” said the Rev. Robin Razzino, interreligious officer for CACS. “Having a scholar with his background will allow VTS to continue to offer students opportunities to be in conversation with others who can help inform their ministries.”

via Virginia Theological Seminary ~ Virginia Seminary Welcomes Muslim Scholar Hussein Rashid.

Islamic traditions influence American architecture, culture, says speaker

Although it seems that Arab presence in America is recent, Dr. Hussein Rashid would argue to the contrary. In his lecture, “Everyday Art: the Islamic Contribution on American Arts,” Rashid argues that America has a long tradition of Islamic influence in art and culture.

Rashid’s lecture Thursday afternoon focused around the portrayal and significance of Islam in architecture, graphic art, literary art, television and music.

Fatima Hassan Ali, public relations for Aga Khan Council of Northern Texas, explained that the purpose of these lectures is to “engage” and “educate” non-Muslim audiences about Islamic topics.

“[Islamic influences in art] are political statements . . . an expression of multiple identities, of being American and of being Muslim. Being Muslim-American is not a disconnect, but rather a long and rich tradition,” Rashid said.

In architecture, Rashid pointed out several examples of American buildings that possess Islamic motifs, including churches, temples, movie theaters and even the Twin Towers.

Graphic art, specifically graphic novels, are beginning to mainstream characters of Muslim heritage.

via Islamic traditions influence American architecture, culture, says speaker – Daily Campus – News.

Islamic Art and Cultural Forum, with Dr. Hussein Rashid, sponsored by Aga Khan Council for Northern Texas

Source: http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?StoryId={af3cb57e-b755-484c-86e4-834b739c8030}
All related Hussein Rashid

Everyday Art: An Islamic Impact on American Art

Dr Hussein Rashid delivered a lecture titled Everyday Art: An Islamic Impact on American Art on 13 February 2011 at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. In the talk, Dr Rashid highlights Islamic influences on popular art in America — from architecture and popular media to poetry and writing — by the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his From Persian of Hafiz II, to Toni Morrison’s portrayal of Muslim characters in her novel Beloved.

Video at the source: http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1182/Video-The-Islamic-impact-on-American-arts

Hussein Rashid: On Being Muslim in America | What’s Your Calling?

Religion Dispatches & Professor, Hofstra University – Hussein Rashid is a proud Muslim and native New Yorker. As a Nizari Ismaili Muslim, he believes his faith guides him to do good in this world, to leave the world in a better state than he found it for his, and others’, children.

http://whatsyourcalling.org/campaign/muslim-in-america

Everyday Art: The Islamic Impact on American Arts – Presentation by Dr. Hussein Rashid at Emory University, Atlanta, Feb. 13

Special Lecture: Everyday Art: The Islamic Impact on American Arts

Sunday, February 13th, 2:00 p.m. Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University – 571 South Kilgo Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322

http://www.carlos.emory.edu/

Presented by Dr. Hussein Rashid, visiting professor at Virginia Theological Seminary

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. [...]

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

This lecture is free and open to the public.

via islamicate: Speaking Engagement: Emory University, Feb. 13.