American Muslim

Five Muslim Americans, each once an immigrant and now a naturalized citizen, are forced to contend with a changing world in the Age of Trump. American Muslim chronicles five diverse Muslims in New York City, telling the stories of an Indonesian Imam in Jamaica, a Bengali small business owner in Ozone Park, a Yemeni activist in Ditmas Park, a Palestinian community organizer in Bay Ridge, and an Algerian mosque director in Sunset Park. Together they create a composite portrait of Muslim life today.

Firmly committed to the U.S., they find their presence here questioned in ways never imagined, and each fights back against the Muslim Ban while continuing to explore a Muslim identity. Across the year and a half period from the President's Inauguration to the Supreme Court's decision on the Ban, Shamsi, Kobir, Debbie, Aber, and Mohamed navigate the constantly evolving reality of being an American Muslim.

FILMMAKER'S STATEMENT: "After the election of Trump, I was devastated. Like so many of my peers, I was shocked and virtually paralyzed.

A few days later I was invited by a friend to a Muslim-Jewish discussion circle. There, we shared our feelings in small groups - our fears and outrage. Then a Muslim-American woman, Debbie Almontaser, rose and spoke about what was happening in her community. How anti-Muslim targeting had increased greatly, and reports of violence and hate speech against Muslims were clearly on the rise. At that moment I recognized that my Muslim neighbors were on the absolute front line in this new era of sanctioned bigotry. And at the same time, I was stunned to acknowledge that despite living in New York City my whole life, I didn't really know any Muslim Americans.

Then and there I realized I had to get out of my homogenous Manhattan neighborhood and go meet my neighbors. I just wanted to get to know Muslim communities better and contribute in some way. For the next year and a half, I followed the trajectory and pushback against the Muslim ban.

The result of that 18 months is American Muslim."

-Adam Zucker

Preview link available upon request. Contact support@videoproject for more information

Video Project - Documentary Film - American Muslim

A Film by Adam Zucker

82 minutes

Scene Selection • Closed Captioned

Grades 9 - Adult

Item #: AMU-1166

Five Muslim Americans in Brooklyn and Queens deal with a new reality of Islamophobia in the Age of Trump.

Starting at $89

Licensing Options

K-12 Classrooms, Public Libraries: DVD - $89 K-12 Classrooms, Public Libraries: DVD + Digital File - $139 Colleges, Businesses, Institutions: DVD - $345 Colleges: DVD with Digital Site License - $495 Community Screenings: Please Complete 'Host a Screening' Form found on top menu bar K-12 School District pricing available. Please inquire at [email protected]

Reviews and Festivals

"This thoughtful program profiles five American Muslims living in New York City...Filmed between the [Muslim] ban and the Supreme Court decision to uphold it, this enlightening program would spark discussion on these important issues. Good way to get teens talking about the Muslim-American experience."

— Booklist

"Does an excellent job of highlighting the struggles Muslim Americans have had to face, not just recently, but over the last 20 years...This film also does a great job of explaining the differences between culture and religion and addresses the misconception that strict gendered policies, in countries like Saudi Arabia, are informed by Islam...I highly recommend this film for any high school or academic library as well as alongside any U.S. Government curricula."
— Educational Media Reviews Online

"Should be seen by every middle school and high school child in this country."

— The Wrap

"Adam Zucker takes us on a tour of Islamic communities throughout the five boroughs of New York City. From longtime American citizens to wary recent immigarnts, Zucker portrays a pivotal time in the lives of human beings, many of whom arrived here fleeing abuse from the very dictators the president opposes."

— The Bay Area Reporter

"Adam Zucker's film is a timely and urgent portrait of a community seeking to combat hate with love. An important film...about the absolute vitality of solidarity. Especially interfaith and intercommunal solidarity."

— Film-Forward

"A triumphant look at compassion...Sensitive, urgent and alarming film...Accurate and precise, Zucker conceives a touching and detailed production, spanning generations...A powerful statement on faith, integrity and humanitarian values."

— Brazilian Press

"One of the most important films at DOC NYC, this is a film everyone should see."

— Unseen Films

"Adam Zucker's documentary American Muslim is well worth your while. Framed around the Trump administration's Muslim ban, Zucker's film examines the daily lives of five Brooklyn Muslims and discusses a number of contentious issues: stereotyping, sex segregation in the Muslim community, 9/11, and civil rights."

— Berkeleyside

"Award-winning filmmaker Adam Zucker hopes his new film American Muslim will inspire interfaith discussion, action and empathy."

— Jewish Week

"Viewers will get a better idea of what it means to be both a proud American and a devout Muslim."

— Times of Israel

"[Zucker's] latest documentary will have reverberations way beyond the confines of a movie screen."

— The Village Sun

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American Muslim

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