Hussein Rashid2009

Interview: Good Day NY – Racial Profiling

Hussein December 29, 2009

I was recently interviewed by Good Day NY on Fox TV concerning a State Assemblyman’s bill to profile Muslims. The short version of the interview is below, the full segments below the fold.

Speaking Event: Parliament of World Religions

Hussein December 1, 2009

I will be speaking at the Parliament of World Religions, in Melbourne, Australia. I have one primary panel, listed below, and several other panels.

Sun., Dec. 6, 16:30-18:00

An Islamic Conscience: The Aga Khan and the Ismailis (respondent)

Room 107

Film and Discussion

The Aga Khan has been the spiritual leader of 15 mil- lion Ismaili Muslims for the past five decades. Born into wealth and privilege, he has devoted his life to eliminating poverty and inequality. At a time when Islam is at odds within itself and with the West, this film presents the Aga Khan as a voice of moderation, speaking out for plural- ism, and promoting dialogue between civilisations. The film was directed by Jane Chablani, Bill Cran, and Shamir Allibhai.

Mon., Dec. 7, 9:30-11:00

The Role of Media in Conflict Resolution (was added late and not listed on program)

Room 204

The international media, with its global reach and pow- erful influence, can fan flames of conflict and misun- derstanding, or it can help to quench them and bring illumination. This panel will discuss possible strategies for utilising broadcast, print and Internet media outlets to promote and facilitate interfaith and intergroup under- standing and dialogue; participants will include journal- ists, educators, producers and activists.

Mon., Dec. 7, 2009, 11:30-13:00

Blogistan: Muslims Dialogue through New Media (Primary Panel)

Room 208

In the last several years, Muslim Americans have become increasingly active online. More and more, they are har- nessing the full potential of New Media to combat stereo- types, racism and ignorance. They have built followings among Muslims and non-Muslims, and their efforts serve as resources for education about Islam and Muslims. This panel will discuss a variety of Muslim-American pres- ences on the Internet (individual blogs, group blogs, and online magazines) and the use of Web 2.0 applications such as Facebook and Twitter to impact conversations not only within the Muslim community but also about the Muslim community. These traditions allow Muslims to represent themselves but also to continue the age-old Muslim traditions of arguing and discussing the major issues of the day.

Tue. Dec. 8, 2009, 14:30-16:00

Changing the Conversation about Islam and Muslims through Film: Shia, Puerto Rican-American and Australian Voices

Room 106

In this session, participants will hear from speakers in- volved with the making of three internationally acclaimed films that promote dialogue between Muslims and non- Muslims. In ‘New Muslim Cool’, Puerto Rican-American rapper Hamza Perez takes viewers on a ride through the streets, projects and jail cells of urban America, to some surprising places where we can all see ourselves reflected in a world that never stops changing. ‘An Islamic Conscience’ features the life of the Aga Khan, who has been the spiritual leader of 15 million Ismaili Muslims for the past five decades. Born into wealth and privilege, he has devoted his life to eliminating poverty and inequality. At a time when Islam is at odds within itself and with the West, this film presents the Aga Khan as a voice of mod- eration and pluralism. Riots in Sydney in 2005 signalled a deepening divide between Muslims and non-Muslims in Australia. The film ‘Beyond Beliefs’ tells the story of how, in March 2007, some 400 Australians came together at Old Parliament House in Canberra for three days to con- sider how to build understanding across the divide. Please consult the schedule for viewing times of each film, which should be watched as a prerequisite.

Wed., Dec. 9, 2009, 9:30-11:00

Leadership among Muslim Males in the Post-9/11 Era

Room 217

This distinguished panel of diverse and engaging Muslim men will examine the need for Muslim males to reflect upon what being a Muslim means, taking into account multifaceted roles of being fathers, husbands and leaders in the post-9/11 era. Panellists will talk about bridging the cross-generational gap between today’s young Muslim males and older generations. They will reflect upon efforts to guide the next generation of Muslim men away from vio- lence, extremism and political turmoil, towards tolerance, mutual respect, understanding and knowledge-based learning.

Media Appearances

Quoted: Jewish Week on the Weekend of Twinning

Hussein November 20, 2009

Article is here.

Responding to those questions in an interview, Hussein Rashid, one of the event’s co-leaders and a visiting professor of religious studies at Hofstra University, called Geyer’s question “refreshing” and said he wasn’t alone in expressing those thoughts. Rashid said that Muslim scholars have begun to respond to violence against Muslim themselves – the overwhelming majority of terror victims – as well as to violence against non-Muslims.

Terrorism committed by Islamic extremists is “painful for me because my religion is being portrayed in this way,” said Rashid, who grew up in Rego Park. It’s also painful “because the ideal of America, as a community of different people, is being ruptured by people who don’t know what that ideal means.”

Media Appearances

Mention: WaPo On Faith

Hussein November 18, 2009

Eboo Patel mentions my work:

I said two prayers when I saw the initial reports: the first for the dead and suffering, the second about the shooter, praying that he wasn’t Muslim. A whole lot of Muslims know how I feel, just check out the blog posts by people like Hussein Rashid, Wajahat Ali, Daisy Khan and a host of others on this.

Media Appearances

Quoted: WSJ on Eid Holidays in New York Schools

Hussein September 15, 2009

Recent Wall Street Journal article quotes me arguing against recognizing Eid holidays in NY’s schools. My original thoughts from Religion Dispatches are here.

Media Appearances