WHITE PLAINS, NY — Forgotten Roots: African American Muslims in Early America, opening Saturday, November 2 in ArtsWestchester’s Gallery9, is a five-day program intended to promote greater understanding of the contributions African Muslims made to our country during the 18th and 19th centuries. Hosted by the American Muslim Women’s Association, the program will include a film screening and an exhibition that includes artifacts, diaries, documents and photographs. The program will run through Wednesday, November 6.
The program will open with a ribbon cutting ceremony, by invitation only, led by Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcom X, on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 9:45am. Also on hand for the event will be Mayor of White Plains, Tom Roach. The documentary Prince Among Slaves, the true story of an African prince enslaved in the Americas, will be introduced. The film will be shown four times daily for the duration of the exhibition at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.
Special exhibition tours will be also be held throughout the program. Led by Amir M. Muhammad, President of Collections and Stories of American Muslims, the tours will provide a deeper educational experience for attendees.
“This program took two years to create,” says Fozia Khan, President of the American Muslim Women’s Association. “We aspire to build bridges among our interfaith communities.”
The American Muslim Women’s Association’s mission is to promote the values of Islam and increase community awareness of the religion of Islam as one of peace, mercy and forgiveness that should not be associated with acts of violence. They have actively pursued this mission by organizing various educational, social, and intellectual forums in New York for the past ten years.
Forgotten Roots: African American Muslims in Early America
Ribbon cutting ceremony Sat.11/2 at 9:45am (by invitation only)
On view Sat.11/2 to Wed.11/6, from 10am to 7pm
Film: Prince Among Slaves – Sat.11/2 to Wed.11/6, showings at 11am,1pm,3pm,5pm
Special Exhibition Tours led by Amir Muhammad:
Sat.& Sun.11am, 2pm, 5pm
Mon-Wed.11am, 5pm
