Muslim Voices of Newark

Join us on Saturday June 28th for Muslim Voices of Newark, a symposium of film, art and talks centering stories of the Muslim experience here in Newark and throughout the history of America. The day-long event will feature film screenings, lunch, panel discussions, a reception, and access to Express Newark's 2025 art exhibition, Powers of the Unseen.

The films presented will include a special presentation of the landmark PBS series, American Muslims: A History Revealed, and will premiere three new documentary short films created by the inaugural cohort of our Muslim Voices of Newark filmmaking program.

Panel discussions will feature:

• Chester Higgins, artist and photojournalist
• Sister Laila Muhammad, poet and community advocate
• Aymann Ismail, author, journalist, host, American Muslims: A History Revealed
• Dr. Kalenah Witcher, Educator, Psychologist, Muslim Voices of Newark filmmaker
• Bibi Stewart, Organizer, Educator, Muslim Voices of Newark filmmaker
• New Freedom Works (Imam MujahidDeen Mohammed, Marsha Nivins Mohammed, and Imam Bilal Hassan), Muslim Voices of Newark filmmakers

The conversation will be led by celebrated scholar, author, and academic advisor for American Muslims: A History Revealed, Dr. Zain Abdullah.

This program is the culminating event of a series of exhibitions and events exploring Express Newark's 2024-2025 annual theme, RITUAL. The theme explores the relationship between Islamic spiritual practices, rituals, and creative expression—featuring experimentations in photography, film, sound art, and textiles. These projects span Newark, which has long been home to one of the nation’s largest African American Muslim communities, while also branching out beyond the domestic borders of the United States to unite members of the global community.

The Muslim Voices of Newark filmmaking program is a partnership between Express Newark's Community Media Center and Philadelphia's Scribe Video Center. Scribe created Muslim Voices, a national community history project supporting Muslim storytellers in creating short documentary films highlighting Muslim experiences and histories. The initiative is designed to highlight and celebrate the presence, history, contributions, and challenges of African American Muslims in America.

Image from "Muslims of Hunterdon Street", courtesy of the filmmaker, Dr. Kalenah Witcher