Events
Hussein Spoleto Festival Panel: Beyond Omar
Beyond Omar
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
6:00pm ET
Register here: https://ticketing.spoletousa.org/5137/5139
The story of West African Muslims in the United States does not begin or end with Omar Ibn Said. While Said’s autobiography shares a remarkable first-hand account, the enslaved Muslim experience in America was not monolithic. During this talk, panelists Dr. Muhammad Fraser-Rahim (Professor, The Citadel) and Okolo Rashid (Co-Founder, President, and CEO, International Museum of Muslim Cultures) will discuss the lives and faith of several enslaved African Muslims, such as Ibrahima Abdur Rahman and Ayuba Suleiman Diallo—both princes in their homelands—and Salih Bilali and Bilali Mohammed, who worshipped along Georgia’s coastal islands. Discover these figures’ shared and disparate histories, cultural practices, and legacies left behind.
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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.
The Prophet’s Heir Discussion at Asia Society
The following video is of a conversation I had with Hassan Abbas on his book The Prophet's Heir, hosted by The Asia Society NY.
The Prophet’s Heir | Asia Society
The Prophet’s Heir | Asia Society.
Ali ibn Abi Talib is arguably is one of the most important spiritual and intellectual authority in Islam after prophet Mohammad. Through his teachings and leadership as fourth caliph, Ali nourished Islam; but Muslims are divided on whether he was supposed to be Mohammad’s political successor, and he continues to be a polarizing figure in Islamic history.
Hassan Abbas provides a nuanced, compelling portrait of this towering yet divisive figure and the origins of sectarian division within Islam. Abbas reveals how Ali assumed the spiritual mantle of Islam to spearhead the movement that the prophet had led. While Ali’s teachings about wisdom, justice, and selflessness continue to be cherished by both Shia and Sunni Muslims, his pluralist ideas have been buried under sectarian agendas and power politics. Today, Abbas argues, Ali’s legacy and message stands against that of ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Taliban.
Hussein Rashid on the “Qur’an”
From a talk I gave at HGI Manhattan College on 1 April 2021.
Critical Conversations: A History of Islam in America September 2020
ITREB USA presents Critical Conversations, a virtual forum featuring faith-based perspectives on the questions of our time. "A History of Islam in America" features Dr. Cristal Chanelle Truscott and Dr. Hussein Rashid and is moderated by Nausheen Husain.
Critical Conversations – Discourses on Lived Experiences of Ramadan/May 2020
ITREB Canada and ITREB USA present Critical Conversations, a virtual forum featuring faith-based perspectives on the questions of our time. Conversations on Lived Experiences of Ramadan features Dr. Alnoor Dhanani and Dr. Hussein Rashid and is moderated by Meena Naik.
Panelist on May 19th and Muslim art and history
The Building Bridges project invites you to virtual workshop dialogues about cities, architecture, and contemporary life in Muslim communities. Expert panelists will offer their insights about these topics from global and local Texas frames, including the Aga Khan Trust for Culture initiatives. Learn more about the panelists and this partnership between the Aga Khan Council for the Central US and The University of Texas at Arlington on the project website here.
Panelists will be engaging with workshop participants dedicated to developing short documentary film episodes relevant to these conversations. The Building Bridges project organizers will select 4 short film pitches offered by these workshops participants to fund! After production this summer, the film series will air on Ismaili TV in the fall of 2021. By joining these dialogues, you can learn more about these important topics and get a “behind-the-scenes” look into the film series.
We invite you to REGISTER using this form to gain access to zoom links for the workshop dialogues. Registration ensures that you will receive subsequent communications and links to the virtual events. As a member of the audience, you can attend any or all dialogues as you wish and your availability allows. PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR NETWORKS!
Mon, May 17 from 7-8:30pm CST on Zoom
Dialogue 1: What is Building Bridges and what is the Aga Khan Trust for Culture?
Panelists: Raj Isar with UTA Faculty Dr. Leah McCurdy and Dr. Douglas Klahr.
Wed, May 19 from 7-9pm CST on Zoom
Dialogue 2: Why is the history of Muslim civilizations and culture significant and why should we preserve historic cities and buildings?
Panelists: Dr. Hussein Rashid and Raj Isar.
Fri, May 21 from 7-9pm CST on Zoom
Dialogue 3: How can architectural conservation impact global Muslim communities and local communities of Texas?
Panelists: Samia Rab Kirchner, David Preziosi, John Brown, and Nancy McCoy.
Mon, May 24 from 7-9pm CST on Zoom
Dialogue 4: How can contemporary architecture and urban spaces impact local communities in Muslim communities around the world?
Panelists: Khalil Pirani, Saif Ul Haque, and Andre Tchelistcheff.
Wed, May 26 from 7-8pm CST on Zoom
Dialogue 5: How can contemporary architecture and urban spaces impact local communities and address needs in the US and Texas?
Panelists: Zamila Karimi and Lizzie MacWillie.
We look forward to zooming with you!
Please contact Leah McCurdy at leah.mccurdy@uta.edu if you have questions about programming, networks to share the invitation with, or have technical difficulties with the registration form or website.