dc
MAY 2014 | ARAB AMERICAN VOICE
E3
US Muslims Join “Happy” Parades Washington - Parades of happy Muslims dancing to Pharrell Williams’s “Happy” song has reached Washington, where groups of DC Muslims met to shoot their own version of the videos that went viral on social media, seeing them as a tool to offer a true image of Muslims. “It sort of happened in a grassroots sense — a couple of days ago I posted on Facebook and we put the word out yesterday,” said Hasan Shah, Make Space’s board chairman, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, April 23. “It was something that everyone wanted to do, because it could be done within the boundaries of our religion. It’s not provocative, it’s not risque in any sense.” After all, he said, happiness “is neither Eastern nor Western, it’s universal.” Videos depicting Muslims dancing to the viral song “Happy” hit the social media last week, The British version, called “Happy British Muslims”, was the first video published, stirring controversial debates in some circles. While many Muslims were elated by the video and wanted to copy it immediately, some said it violated Islam’s law or at least its spirit of modesty, particularly with women dancing and singing in public. Others felt it was humiliating and unnecessary to prove that members of the planet’s secondlargest religion are, in fact, happy. Yet, the controversy could not dissuade scores of Muslims who gathered on Tuesday evening at McPherson Square after seeing an event on Facebook. Those Muslims were brought together by the Muslim Public Affairs Council, which advocates for US Muslims, and Make Space, a Washington-area organization for Muslim professionals and youth. “Keep it tasteful,” one reminded the crowd of about 50 Muslims. Then they began dancing in twos and threes in a “Soul Train”-type configuration, while the others cheered them on. “We have people lined up with their family members, or with the same gender, so that there won’t be pushback,” said Sameer Hossain, 32. “We’ve seen the online discourse after the UK Muslims’ one. . . . But the main thing is to show up, be happy — there’s no deeper meaning to what’s going on.” True Islam Imam Johari Abdul-Malik of the Dar al Hijrah mosque in Falls Church was among attendants who danced dressed in a suit and
reflective shades. “It’s young people engaged in selfexpression,” he said.
makes the people that would like to be the authorities on what’s acceptable and not acceptable uncomfortable. I think it’s great,
Noting that the narrative about Muslims is so often about being “hungry and angry,” he said young people have started to turn that image around using social media. “The cleric who says music is haram,” or sinful, “he’s in trouble today because music is around the world and now the village is global,” he said. “It’s that kind of freedom that
people taking their faith into their own hands.” The song’s popularity was an important tool Muslims used to reflect a correct image of Muslims, Haris Tarin, the DC director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said. “Since this song has gone viral, we thought, why not take advantage of it? It may be a little wacky, a
Arab American Democratic Caucus-Virginia Endorsement -April 2, 2014
little out of the ordinary ... but it gives that idea of the American Muslims in the public square,” he said. MPAC project for the new video on “American Happy Muslims” was not limited to the shots takes at McPherson square. Other video clips were also shot at iconic spots such as the White House, New York’s Times Square or the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles to be compiled into one video they hope to release early next week. At McPherson Square, Mona Malik was present with her three children, Kareem, 12, Jamal, 11, and Salma, 6, to participate in the video. Malik said she came because she wanted her children to see something positive about Muslims. “There is so much negativity surrounding their religion,” she said. “I wanted them to see Muslims enjoying the music, enjoying hiphop, having a good time.” Her son Jamal nodded. “If nonMuslims see it, I think it will be something to them to see that Muslims are not terrorists.”
ARAB AMERICAN
VOICE www.ArabAmericanVoice.info
The Arab American Democratic Caucus of Virginia, a non-sectarian Democratic organization representing the communal interests, civil rights and human rights of the Arab American community of Virginia has endorsed Delegate Patrick Hope ( Patrick Hope for Congress ) for the Democratic nomination in the 8th Congressional District of Virginia. Del. Hope has served in the Virginia General Assembly with distinction and with much care for the underprivileged and the poor. With many years of dedicated public service to Virginia and Virginians, Del. Hope has always supported the human and civil rights of all Virginians and has stood up against bigotry and narrow mindedness. We pledge to our future congressman Patrick Hope, all of our resources to insure a victory in the Democratic primary on June 10th and in the general election on November 4th. www.facebook.com/ArabAmericanDemocrats
باتريك هوب مرشح في اإلنتخابات التحضيرية الديمقراطية
Primary, June 10, 2014
www.hopeforcongress.com Paid for and authorized by Patrick Hope for Congress
Monthly Newspaper Published by Arabesque Media LLC. Editor in Chief Marwan Ahmad Contributors Sobhi Ghandoor Manar Milbis Designed by Breek Media info@BreekMedia.com For advertising or inquires call 703-745-5395 sales@ArabAmericanVioce.info Arabesque Media LLC. Phone: (703) 745-5395 Fax: 1-866-859-8595 info@ArabAmericanVoice.info 1604 Spring Hill Rd., Ste. 250 Vienna, VA 22182 Deadlines for submission of letters is the 24th of every month, and for advertisements by the 25th. Only letters and articles submitted on electronically or by email will be accepted for review. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse any letters, articles or advertisement or any other material. The Publisher will not be liable for more than the advertisement cost in case of an error. The Muslim Voice is not responsible for the contents of advertisements or articles nor endorses them in any way or form.