Who Speaks for Muslims
Nearly 100 U.S. Muslims in media will gather in Atlanta May 27-29 for a conference to network, enhance efforts, and determine who is the media voice of Muslims. Renowned national Muslim leaders will conduct a symposium with the broader media to share expectations Muslims have of the media.
(PRWEB) April 19, 2005 -- “Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in
the world, and yet, Muslims may be some of the most misunderstood people in the
world,” said Luqman Jai who serves on a team of organizers for an upcoming
conference called “Who Speaks for Muslims?”. He added, “one of the reasons we
are not understood is because of how the media presents us and helps define us
for the world.”
Muslims of Atlanta and throughout the United States will
unite in Atlanta, Georgia Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 27, 28, and 29 to
discuss and answer the question “Who Speaks for Muslims”. Organized by Taqwa
Productions Inc. of Atlanta, an Islamic television production company, this
weekend Muslim Media Dawah Conference will bring together Muslim radio and
television producers, film writers and producers, spoken word artists, web
designers, dawah (Arabic for propagation) leaders, political leaders, and others
whose presence and works help inform or promote an understanding of the religion
of Al-Islam.
Hassan Shakir, president of the 20-year-old Taqwa
Productions, Inc., said, “We believe it is past time for Muslims to show Who
Speaks for Muslims. We have allowed too many people to speak on our
behalf.
Shakir said they have done a careful review of what Muslims are
doing in the way of defining their image to the public and in the media and are
bringing together Muslims who are successfully using their talents, interests
and concerns to meet one another, network, showcase their works, learn more
about doing good works as dawah leaders, and to give voice and guidance to the
broader media about what Muslims expect from as the media is also key in giving
the world a picture of who Muslims are.
The Muslim Media Dawah
Conference will include workshops, film screening, a youth camp, and most
importantly, a symposium featuring some of the great national Muslim leaders of
the U.S. who will speak to the media about the question "Who Speaks for Muslims"
and what they should be saying.
The conference is open to any Muslim
involved in or interesting in the image of Muslims and helping others to
understand the Islamic faith and religion. Nearly two dozen workshops are
scheduled, including “How to Present Muslims to the Public,” “How to Get Your
Program on Bridges TV,” “People to People Dawah,” “Power of the Media”, “Web
Design”, “How to Finance Your Project”, and more. Confirmed presenters are from
organizations such as CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations), Muslim
Journal, the all-new Islamic cable station Bridges TV, Sound Vision, Azizah
Magazine, ICNA (Islamic Council of North America), Mosque Cares, and more.
The Saturday Film Screening Festival will showcase and highlight films
and videos produced by Muslims, including a documentary about a little Muslim
girl’s coming of age in the U.S. and trying to fit in with her dress and making
of prayers, other documentaries, short dramas, and an Islamic music video
produced by teenage Muslims at the weekend’s Muslim Youth Media Camp.
National Muslim leaders from the various major Muslim communities will
culminate the weekend's conference by giving a stance on Muslim representation
in the media in a press-conference-like symposium Sunday, May 29, at the Atlanta
Masjid of Al-Islam. They will be speaking to the Muslim conference participants
and the broader media –CNN, NBC, ABC, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, and the
like.
While the adult Muslims are participating in the Dawah Conference, an
estimated 50 teen Muslims will participate in the Muslim Youth Media Camp where
they will examine lyrics of music, including music produced by famous Muslim
artists, will see how music is dawah, and will make their own music video.
Youth can participate in the camp and the film screening for $30 per
participant. The film screening ($15.00) is open to the public. The Sunday
symposium is free and open to the general public. Conference registration is
$75.00 before April 30, including cost of the film screening festival and
participation in the workshop sessions. Vendor space is available ($100).
For more information, contact Taqwa Productions, Inc. at 404-378-0306,
www.taqwatv.org,
or e-mail protected from spam bots.
TAQWA Productions, Inc.
P.O. Box
18-211 Atlanta, GA 30316
404-378-0306
560 Fayetteville
Rd. S.E
Atlanta, GA 30316
www.taqwatv.org
Media contact: Qur’an
Shakir (e-mail protected from spam bots)
Hassan Shakir, 404-378-0306
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb229948.htm