Muslim Voices: Arts & Ideas

WHAT: A ten-day festival and conference
WHEN: June 5–14
WHERE: Various locations; visit muslimvoicesfestival.org for more info

1 Tunisia
It’s not news that break dancing and hip-hop are crazy popular in the modern Arab Muslim world (type break dance Tunisia into a YouTube search for a mesmerizing reminder). The influences abound in Making Of, a film about a Tunisian B-boy who becomes a suicide bomber, directed by Nouri Bouzid. BAM; June 8 at 4:30, 6:50, 9:15pm

2 Senegal
An estimated 94 percent of Senegal’s population is Muslim. That includes legendary Senegalese singer and percussionist Youssou N’Dour, who helped develop the country’s music—known as mbalax—and has used it to show a positive, more complex side of Islam. Get swept up in N’Dour’s contagiously energetic rhythms. BAM; June 5, 6 at 8pm

3 Pakistan
The Qawwali Gospel Creation show is a mash-up of African-American gospel and the 700-year-old tradition of qawwali, trance-inducing Sufi praise music. Between Pakistani singer Faiz Ali Faiz’s pulsing beats and his rich vocals, we dare you not to feel uplifted. BAM, Jun 13 at 8pm

4 India
Dastangoi is an Urdu storytelling tradition dating back to medieval Iran. Actor Naseeruddin Shah (from Monsoon Wedding) will perform one dramatic sorcery- and warrior-filled chapter from the 46-volumeDastan-e-Amir Hamza in “Dastangoi: The Adventures of Amir Hamza.” Asia Society; June 7, 8 at 7:30pm

5 United Arab Emirates
The Arab world’s Oprah, Nashwa Al Ruwaini, hosts an envelope-pushing weekly TV talk show called Nashwa in Dubai. She’ll speak as part of a two-day conference, “Bridging the Divide Between the United States and the Muslim World Through Arts and Ideas.” You’ll walk away with an open mind—but sorry, not a new car. NYU’s Center for Dialogues, Brooklyn Marriott, June 6 at 9am

New York City
There are more than 200 mosques in our five fair boroughs (Bay Ridge, represent!). Photographer Edward Grazda was inspired to visit most of them following the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, documenting the Muslim presence in New York. Excerpts from his book New York Masjid will be on view. BAM,June 5–28

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