COtIECTIONS A STORIES OF AMERICAN i,tUSLtMS tNC.

EilInside lhis issuer

South African AmbassadorH-E. Ebrahim Rasool hosteda fimdrasier for tle museumin July at his residence, andgreets AIHM museum advi-sory member Arbar Ansaridurins the dinner.

Turkey's Ambassador H.E. Namik Tan greetsAIHM President Amir Muhammad and his wifeHabeebah Muhammad at his residence for Iftar,the fust day of Ramadan.

The Enbassy ofthe Repub-lic of Indonesia Ambassa-dor H.E. Dr. Dino PattiDjalal, AIHM PresidsntAmh Muhammad and otherIndonesians soeak at IMAAM sumner camo.

7lh Annuol lsbmicHeritoge ,rlonlh

Ilu5eum'3 O,ol HisloryProgrqm

flluseum's Scholor pro-grqm, Work.hop3, andInlernolionol Ouert

AIHM Sociol & €ivicEngogemei,

Inieifailh & Arrs

AlHIll Engogemenl inthe Arls

lffors ol lhe museuln

Pqrlnerlhip & Tou.s

Sfeciol poinls ofinlerest:o Ambos:odon supporl

. DC' Moyo. lssoe Proclarmtion

. AlHil ConmunilyEngogerEnL

. filuseums lflo.s

ME =:-:l--;:.f.::-..l:+-L:l;Jl*-V ;:ls:-*:::sr*

S's-,*ffi*

DC's Moyol lssues 7lh Annuol lslomicHeriloge Month Proclomalion

Ameriea's Islamic Heritaee Museum in Review

Ambqssodors'Supporl ond Visits to the MuseumThe Embassy ofthe State of Qatar's new AmbassadorMohamed Abdulla Al-Rumaihi visited the AIHM mu-seum within 6 weeks after accepting his new post asAmbassador to US for tle Sate ofQatar.

AIHM relationship with Qatar dates back a few years5 when the exhibit 'Forgot0en Roots: Muslims in Early

Americ4' traveled to Qatar. While in Qatar the ex-

6z bibit was on display at the City Center and the FanarIslamic Center for two week.

g-9 This past sumner we were also visited by the Ambas-sador ofthe Enbassy ofthe Republic of Gambia Am-

t()-l t bassador Alieu Momodou Ngum as well as his guestHassan Bubacax Jalloq the Under Secretary GeneralProsecutor for the UN Intemational Criminal Tribunalfor Rwanada.

lhe Grouo Lefiist Rodio Rohim

The Omor ibn Soyyid ploy byAhmod Kenyo

n*'_ruThe Orol hisfory progrqmoims lo .record qnd preserveMuslim Americons norrqlives.

Woli Hoidor Preside of $eBoord of Muslofo Center

lmqm Somi Shommo ofDor-Al-Noor

Americo's lslomic Heriloge Museum in Review

The Oral History Project's first program waswith pioneers sisters of the 1940s & 50s fromMasjid Muhammad Baseemah Beyah, EthelOmar, and Labeebah Salaam-

The Oral History Pro-ject aims to preservethe ongoing MuslimAmerican narative.Inspired by the nobleverses of the Holy

Quran, it is hoped that the program helps ourdiverse community come to get to know eachother ald our differences as well as promoteunderstanding.

Our previous oral history events covered thehistory of the Pioneers of Masjid Muhammad,and the Afghan American community in 201 I ,the Latino Muslim community March and theArab American community in April 2012.

The Oral history of Alghan American Mus-lims' guests were Qari Sarniullah Safi, Dr.Daoud Nassimi, Qari Zia Makhdoom, Mr.Wali Haidar and Haris Tarin Director ofMPAC DC office.

Volume l, lssue I

Qari Zia Makhdoom began the nightwith a heart-felt recitation of verse 13from Surah Hujurat declaring that 'Omankind! Lo! We have created youfiom male and female, and have madeyou nations and tribes that ye mayknow one another."

Mr. Wali Haidar, the President of theboard at Mustafa Center spoke about theearly immigration experience of the Af-ghan American community and institu-tion building. He recounted how earlyAfghan immigrants rented "a littleapartment on the second floor of anaparhnent building" in Alexandria, Vir-ginia to provide a space for prayers andmemorial services for the deceased.

Arab AmericanMuslim narrativespeakers wereImam SamiShamma of DarAl-Noor, Abed Ayoud of ADC, MoonSulfab IT Specialist and Hazami Bar-mada AMIN & Al-Mtbadanh. Bv M.B.

7th Annuol lslqmic Heritoge MonfhFor seven years the District of Columbia 11';. year AIHM museum hosted a monthhave been celebrating October as Amer- 1619 of activities from the annual Islamicica's Islamic Heritage month. Over the Heitaee Dav Festival to the Islamic Reliefyears thee different Mayors of Washing- of USI .Day of Dignity., The festival fea_ton, DC has issued Proclamations honor- tured various artists" such as the Baltimoreing October as America's Islamic Heri- base group Leftist, DC base DJ and rappertage Month. Radio Rahim, the Bliss Ananda group, iap-During the month of October as Colum- Per Jahaziel, and the nationally acclaimedbus day is celebrated we are reminded that play about 'The Life & Times of Omar Ibnbefore Columbus arrived Muslims go- Salyid,' performed by Ahmad Kenya. TheWest Africa had already arrived into 15" Islamic Relief 'Day of Dignity,' fed moreAmerica's by 1312. After gaining 6;" than 240 people ftom the community pro-freedom Abdur Rahman Ibn Ibrahima, viding them with free food, coats, healthknown as the Prince Among Slaves, wrote care, and school supplies.his first letter in October 1828. Lastly The month ended with documentarv moviesthree of the most popular Muslim Ameri- about the historv of Muslims in D-C and incans Elijah Muhammad, Imam Jamil Al- America. We would like to encourase otherAmin, and Imam Warith Deen Moham- cities and states around the country-to hostmed were all bom in October. and celebrate October as America,s

The Museum,s orol Hisrory proiecf Islamic heritage month'

The Bliss Anondo Group

Americo's lslqmic Heritoge Museum in Review

The Museum Scholars Comer has had ahost of scholars visit the museum, from theworld renowned Islamic scholar ShaykhMuhammad Hisham Kabbani, AIHM VicePresident Dr. Sulayman Nyang, Dr AzizahAl-Hibri, Shaykh Harun Faye, and mem-bers of the Baye-Fall and the Murid com-munity cameand sharedinsight intothe Senegal-ese cultureand history.

Votume l, lssue I

Imam Benjamin Bilal of New Yorkgave two insightful workshops ad-dressing two topics the lst - Beatingthe Women: Is That Really in theQur'an ald the second was Why OurYouth are Called: 'Teen' agers andHow We Are to Defeat the Consoir-acy Against them.

Shoykh Kobboni ond AmirMuhommod

Muhommod Abdur Rohim ondShoYkh Horun Foye

ntr'.tri-5Our scholors corner ondworkshops bring logetherq vosl ronge of people,qnd cullures.

Poge 3

The Museum Scholqrs Corner

."=i

AIHM WorkshopsKaramah spon-sored program pre-sented 'Daughtersof Aisha: A Dis-cussion on MuslimWomen's Leader-ship in Academia,

Law, and Social Work.'

Layla Mohammed tellsher story of growing upas the daughter of W.D.Mohammed and thegranddaughter of Elijah& Clara Muhammad.

Museum's Inlernolionql GuestsIndonesian ImamHabiburrahman El-Shirary visited themuseum on Januarythe 6th. HassanBubacar Jallow, the

Under Secretary General Prosecutor for theUN International Criminal Tribunal forRwanada has also visited the museum-

Some ofour other guests came from the U.S. Department of State's Intemational Visi-tors Leadership Programs leaders and teach-ers. fiom Uzbekistan. and Azerbaijan.guests ffom Malaysia, members from a DCBase Turkish Think tank, and 18 journalistfrom Common Cround News Service.Among some of the things they came to ex-plore and leam was the integration of Mus-lim communities in the United States.

: t H{$?^,nP!n

I h'. I ''''-'"*""*'i[*rt-]

Americo's lslomic Heritoge Museum in Review Volume l,lssue I

Poge 4

lslomic Relief Food Bonk

lslomic Relief volunteersproviding help of fhe food bonk.

E,!EWe believe in engoging thecommunlty with qrt, cufu.e,history, ond service.

Mory Lord, Philip PonnellMorvin Tuc*er

Some of lhe condidotes whohove visited the Museum wereEleonor Holmes Norlon, NolqleSlrocuzzi, Mory Brooks Beotiy.A..1. Cooper, Leon J Swon .lr.Ann Wilcox, Muriel Bowser,Cqlvin Gurley. YvelteAlexonder, Michoel D. Brown,Dovid Schwortzmon, NelsonRimnensnyder, Nofe B. Fleming,Mory [ord, Morvin Tucker. ondPhilip Ponnell.

AIHM Civic Life Engogemenf Hosf 2 Politicol Forums

The Museum hosted two political forumsone on March 23. during the primary,sponsored by the DC's Muslim Democ-ratic Caucasus the 'Candidates Forum &Straw Poll.' They had DC Candidates forAt-I-arge Council member, Ward 2,Ward 4, Ward 7 Council member, Dele-gate, Statehood Representatives.

Jauhar Abraham, Ann Wilco& John Ch€eks, andLeon Swan Jr,

Candidates for US Senator for the District ofColumbia" David Schwartman, Nelson Ri-mensnyder, and Michael D. Brown.

On November 1 the Museum hosted a sec-ond Candidates Fomm, Candidates for theDC Delegate of US House of Representa-tives, U.S. Senator District of Columbia,United States Representative of DC, At-Large Member of DC Council Chairman,At-Large Member of the State Board ofEducation , Member of the State Board ofEducation for Ward 8, and Ward 8 Councilcandidates attended the program

AIHM Community Sociol EngogemenlAmerica's Islamis lft;tat Museum hasserved as a venue for several unique com-munity events and organizations. The Mu-seum participated in the neighborhoodwide LUMENS Anacostia festival held onApril 14, 2012. Project REACFI anemerging Muslim-led Washington, D.C.based community development organiza-tion regularly holds its Real Talk sessionsat the museum for young adults and teen-agers. On June 17, 2012 the Museumhosted an interactive Hip Hop and SocialChange workshop with members of theFEW Collective. On August 4,2012 Is-lamic Relief USA opened its fnst GivingGrain Pantry at the MuseumAmerica's Islamic Heritage Museum hoststwo community gardens on its premises.

In front of the museum along Martin Lu-ther King Jr. Avenue sits an herb gardenwith two crape myrtles that was started byteachers at the Clara Muhammad School.Its herbs include minl rosemary andthyme. Along the long southem wall thatfaces the restaurant next door, the Museumhas planted four miniature raised bushes,one Euonymus shrub and one dwarf coni-fer- The Museum's long slanted roof is theperfect setup lor collecting water in a rainbarrel and the Museum has been in contactwith District Deparhnent of the Environ-ment about installing one. The Museumhopes to continue developing this space toprovide a peaceful horticultural enclavewith benches and more shade cover.By M.B.

Americo's lslomic Hedtoge Museum in Review Volume l, lssue I IF"--ffiPoge 5

The Museum's Community Interfqith EngogemenlOn July10th Rev.Msgr. Ray-mond Eastfrom St.Teresa ofAvila of DCand AIHM

curator Amir Muhammad came together inan interfaith program sponsored by DC Sha-lom Church. The two shared in a discussionof comparisons and connections betweenAl-Islam and the Christian faith in theAmerican and Afiican-American communi-ties.

On September 22, the occasion of Intema-tional Peace Day Muslims & SIKHS insolidarity came together at the Museum-Seventeen Muslim organizations signed apledge in support of the SIKH commu-nity. Some of the speakers were Dr. AishaRahman, Esq Executive Director forKARAMAH, Dr. Amarjit Singh of theKhalistan Affairs Center, Mr. Haris Tarin,MPAC Executive Dircctor of DC's office,and Mr. Amir Mu-hammad. IslamicHeritage MuseumPresident.

m':{*rilFConnecling People Using

Culture ond History

AIHM Community Engogemenl in the Arls

The Museum hosted aprogram and displayedthe works of ArtistShareef Abdul-Malik.

The work of John Zaire El-Badar was ondisplay in collaboration with LumenS. Johndesigned this work from driftwood, fiom thebanks ofthe Anacostia River.

Poge 6

Americo's lslomic Heritoge Museum in Review

AIHM hosted two movie Premiers"Chrysalis" and "A Lovers Call," as wellas a range of discussions and documenta-ries ffom tJre. "Prince Among the Slaves,"to "The Lost Libraries of Timbuktu,""Brother Minister Who Assassinated,Malcolm X." "Inside Islam." "On the Life& Speeches of Malcohn X," "Mandela,""African-America Pioneer Muslimah ofWashington, DC Part 1," "Mooz-Lum,"and 'T{ew Muslim Cool."

James Johnston author ofthe book "From Slave Ship to Harvard."

The Museum has hosted seven book sign-ings beginning with Mikal Saahir and hisbook "The Man Behind the Men: ElijahMuhammad," Dianne Dale, "The VillageThat Shaped Us: A look at Washington,

DC's Anacostia Commu-nity," Dr Hakim Rashid's,novel "The President is aMuslim." Amin Nathari.author of "45, 35, Now,"Umm Zakilyah, intema-tionally acclaimed authorof the "If I Should Speaktrilory," Sheikha MaryamFaye, "Joumey Through

Ten Thousand Veils," and James Johnstonauthor of"From Slave Shio to Harvard."

AIHM's Engogemenf in lhe Arfs Movie Nights

Volume l, lssue I

ChrysalisWritten & Directed by Nia Malika Dixon

Sisters Islamic Book Clubwere co-sponsors of thebook signing for Umm7.aki7yah.

Author Umm Zakiyyah signing her bookswith Aliyah Abdel-Malik & Habeebah Mu-hammad.

KUrDm ZakindrffiET

'A Lovers Call' byNajma Nuriddin

Director / ProducerNajma Nuriddin

w'trttilFor many people the

Museum has become

that third space.

Hakim Rashid book

\^t

AIHM Book Signings

i

l

Author Amin Nathari

Volume l, lssue I fg.f :?"'ffiffiPoge 7

iliS 'The Bliss Ananda Group

l*ltp

Americo" lslomic Heritoge Museum in Review

The Bliss Ananda Croup

Radio Rahim with DJ Derforms at the Museum.

The group Bliss Ananda, per-forms a Jazz set on a Sundayaftemoon at the Museum.

We provide space for both na-tional and local artists to expresstheir creativity.

The Museum provides open-mic andpoetry programs.

Yacob Owens shows hisskills with Bliss Ananda

!]+.- i:i4wffiConnecting PeopleUsing Cuhure ond

Hisfory.

The one man nationallyacclaimed play featuringAhmed Kenya, about the'Life & Times of Omaribn Sayyid,' has been ahit in the DC area andfor the Museum.

AIHM Engogement in lhe Artsj

L--

I;E

Tahir from Crescent Moon Nights performs.

Poge 8

New Africo lslomic CommunityCenler sponsored on lfior with

Soudi TV.

m*rilFWe believe in engoging thecommsnily wilh orl, cultu.e,hislory, ond service.

lftors ot AIHM

Americo's lslomic Heritoge Museum in Review

Many Muslims in the DC area wouldagree that, mfortunately, the DC Muslimcommunity is not very tightly knitted.Nevertheless, America's Islamic Heri-tage Museum became a safe and wel-coming haven for DC's dispersed Mus-lirn population, a number of Muslimleaders and organizations, and even thosewho just wanted a hot meal for the night.The Museum held nine Iftars duringRamadan feeding more 1,200 people.

On J:uJy 22 the first Iftar dinner for themonth was sponsored by the New AfricaIslamic Community-a simple meetingof those who wanted to get to know ourcommunity better. However, it wasmarked by the presence of people fromall walks of life, who gave kind and in-sightful speeches on the notion of com-munity and filmed by Saudi TV.

Less than a week later, the Museumhosted another event sponsored by andfeaturing guests fiom the Embassy ofTurkey on July 28-. A few days later, theEmbassy of Qatar was featured as well.

The Museum Iftars also served as an op-portunity to reconnect DC Muslims withtheir history and traditions: the 2nd of Au-gust was devoted to a reunion of theClara Muhammad school--the institutionthat had formerly possessed the mu-seum's building. Throughout the nigh!spirited and successful Muslims met theirformer peers, teachers and students,roaming the halls and reminiscingwamly. The night concluded with thesinging ofthe school spirit song and pho-tos of old friends tosether.

Volume l, lssue I

AIHM lftorsOnly three days later, signing filled thehalls again, as well as verse, beats, clap-prng and laughter. Crescent Moon Nights-an association devoted to bringing togethermusic and expression tbrough faith-leamed up with the Green Muslims-an or-z rtization" devoted to promoting thehealthy and eco-conscious way of life andreligion. The two groups spoke ofpersonalexperiences, faith, and consciousness ofthe American society, and those abroad.The main floor was covered in prayer car-pets and tens of families surged into in-dulging in the arts and food in a cafe'-style atmosphere, sitting on pillows andsoft carpets.

The next day, the 5th was devoted to lis-tening to talks from the Islamic Institute ofLeaming and Project REACH. ProjectREACH is a group closely integrated withthe museum's activities, Halaqas for Men& Women called Real Talks on Thursdayevenings and other events. ProjectREACH endeavors to broaden ideas ofthe Muslim community by teaming upwith other organizations to create opportu-nities for Muslim communities in theDNIY area. Bv o.EN.

Crescent Moon Night and the GreenMuslims hosted an Iftar toeether and

a

Americq's lslomi. He toge Museum in Review Volume l, l$ue I

August 9 was devoted to listening to theworks of Islamic Relief USA.

August I I was filled with enlightening in-formation on efforts by the Zakat Founda-tion to provide shelters, food and water tocountries abroad, like S1ria. Pamphlets ofinformation and even some backpacks andactivity books were handed out to childrenpresenl so that the influence of the founda-tion would not be forgotten.

The Embassy of Qatar sponsored two Iftars forthe Museum this year feeding more than 340people both Muslims and non Muslims from adiverse range people. The Embassy had specialguest at both Iftars. US OIC Rep, Rashad Hus-sain, Dr. Sulayman Nyang, Dr Howard Hardywere among the speakers at the Iftar sponsoredby the Embassy of Qatar. Also present was Mr.Kelso Richard Steward who celebrated his101st birthday as a guest at the Iftar.

Rashad Hussain, US Special En-voy to the OIC shared somewords of wisdom during Qatar'ssponsored Iftar-

Dr- Sulayman Nyang was one oftle speakers at the Ift{ spon-sored by the Embassy ofQatar.

Former Special Projects OfficerMr. Hardy, a Howard alumnus,was a Senior Officer in the U.S.Foreign Service in 1988- Aswell as worked for the Depart-ment of the Treasury.

E$5Connecfing People Using

Cullure ond Hislory

The AIHM Museum's Community lftorsThis year the Museum hosted nine Iftarsfeeding more than 1,200 people. All of theIftars had high spirits and enerry of love,peace, andjoy.

The Embassy of Republic of Turkeysponsored one of the many Iftars at themuseum. Dr. Yasar Colak the Socialand Religious Affairs Counselor sharedsome words of wisdom and unity.

Howard Hardy

Poge I O

Students from Richmond , VA

Students from Richmond , VA

Americo's lslomic Heritoge Museum in Review

AIHM Tour Groups & GuestAIHM Museum has served people fromaround the DC metropolitan area" aswell as from other states and abroad.The Mus€um seryes as a beacon of lightshining on the rich and diverse Islamichistory fiom here in America.

The museum has been a host to morethan two dozen tour g'oups this year.The tours have ranged fiom studentsfrom Islamic Schools, Colleges, toIntemational guests. Visitors camefrom Baltimore, Richmond Ohio, NorthCarolina, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan,Indonesi4 Uzbekistan, Turkey, Chan,Gambia, Senegal, and other parts ofWest Africa.

Volume l, lssue I

t '"nos"

r'*ut"-11

." '**"'P!ry

Intemational GrouD Yisit

Writers Group visit

Students from Virginia

Intemational Guest from Chan

E

Americo's lslomic Herifoge Mrrseum in Review Volume l, lssue I

AIHM Portnership wifh the Smithsonion Folk Life Festivol

Over the past summer we partnership with theSmithsonian Folk Life program The Will toAdom, for 2013. Our goal was to collectinformation, -photos, and interviews of African-American Muslim designers of women and menclothing, crafters ofjewelry, Kufi and Head wrapdesigners and makers, as well as henna andnatural body oil practitioners. We hosted twoadomment programs to highlight and bringtogether various adornment practitioners.

We have interviewed tbirteen (13) people, postedfouteen (14) blogs, two (2) videos, fifty-one (51)photos, and hosted two Will to Adom programs.We have photographed one Islamic wedding andone Islamic female fashion show. Some of thepeople we interviewed were head-wrap and hatmakers, one jewelry maker, one male shid andsuit designer, one natural body oil practitioner,one henna practitioner, one kufi hat maket andone female designer. Some of the participants willbe featured in the 2013 Folk Life festival.

AIHM ExhibitsThe Museum's main exhibit is 'Views Fromthe Windows of America's Islamic History-'The exhibition covers t}re exhibits 'ForgottenRoots: Muslims in Early America,' TheUntold Story: Muslims of the 20th Century,'and the exhibit 'Muslims in Service of OurCountry.' The exhibit "Forgotten Roots:Muslims in Early America" which hastraveled overseas. The exhibit takes a look atAmerica's rich Islamic history from 1525-2011.

The current gue sttraveling exhibition is t}teState Departmentoroduced exhibit ofi'America's PresidentialEngagement of MuslimCommunities andl- UUlrlrrrurrrrlEr

f1' Countries 1787 -2011".

l; The . exhibit^ wasresearched by Precious Muhammad. Theexhibit will be on display until the end ofJanuary 2013 to help teach tolerance andunderstandine.

Henna work and jewelry desigrswere amons the featured artists.

During the process ofresearching and interviewingpeople for the Will to Adom,.we came across one yormglady that had received someantique jewelry from Senegal,West Africa for a dowry gift.

ilmilEl

Poge I 2

America's Islamic Heritage MuseumAIHM

2315 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SEWashington, DC 20020

The Museum would like to thank our coreteam members Vaseemah Ansari, MatthewBrooks, Muhammad Abdur Rahim, AbrarAnsari, Qimmah Najeeullah, Olivia SmithElnaggar, Bilaal Muhammad, MuminYasin, Muhammad Najeeullah , JanilaAdams, William Saddiq Gordon Jr. and themany others for helping to make AIHMprograms successful this year. We wouldlike to give special thanls to our Sponsors,Supports, and Museum Brick Builders.

We would like to thank the many othervolunteers, and supporters who have helpto make this a successful and productiveyear for the museum.

Some the contributors for the articles wereMatthew Brooks, MB. and Olivia SmithElnaggar O.E.N.

Americo's lslomic Heritqge Museum in Review

Collections & Stories of American Muslims,Inc- (Traveling Exhibit, Archives, & Museum)(CSAM) is a 501 c (3) non-profit organizationestablished in 1996. CSAM dba 'America'sIslamic Heritage Museum.' provides culturaleducational programs and museum services to

the public- CSAM's mission is to preserveAmerica's Islamic legacy by collecting'archiving, and displaying artifacts andinformation about America's rich Islamichistory, and to established Islamic Museum,educational programs, and traveling exhibitionsin the United States and abroad. The Museumreflects America's true culture diversity. Overthe years CSAM has provided exhibits andprograms for schools, Mosques, communitycenters, communlty groups, libraries, theSmithsonian's Anacostia Museum, the StateDepartment's Intemational Guest Program, andfor the State Department Embassies in Qatarand Nigeria.

We have developed some empowering.insightful, and informative programs andexhibits that highlight Muslims' rich historyand contributions in America. This year themuseum has served more than 7,000 people .

If you would like to help AIHM to continueproviding programs to the public aboutAmerica's rich Islamic history andcommunities.

You can donate today on line at www.muslimsinamerica.org Paypal account or bymail to: AIHM 2513 Martin Luther King Jr AveSE Washington, DC 20020

Connecting People Using Culnre and History

Preserving Ow History helps to insure ourFuture.

America's Islamic Heritage Museum AIHM2315 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE

Washington, DC 20020202 610-0586

www.muslimsinirmerica. org

1 i/2 block from the Green Line Metro Station

Volume l, lssue 'l

Members of Islamic Relief& Masjid Muhammad at

work at the food bank

Int€mational GuestF',-ruConnecling PeoP leUsing Cullure ondHistory.

Help the Museumconlinue lhe greot work.Moke o donofe lodoy.

Great Exhibits

The Museum Iftar volunteer support team.