POV

THE PRESENTATION WAS VERY INTIMATE AND MOVING. I AM DEEPLY
IMPRESSED WITH THE STRENGTH AND VISION OF HAMZA. HE IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND LEADER. I HOPE HE IS GIVEN ALL ACCESS TO HIS
INSPIRATION AND LEADERSHIP.

by RICHARD REITZES
June 24, 2009, 10:42 AM

Hamza displays the character in men that is so rarely seen both within and outside of the Muslim community. His conduct, dedication and sincerity is inspiring. May Allah reward Hamza for setting such a wonderful example as a leader, a man, a father and a husband for the entire Ummah, both in the states and abroad. May Allah be pleased with you, my brother. For once, after watching TV late in the evening, I felt like I had been exposed to something positive. Your entire family, like myself is so proud of you.

by UmmHussain
June 24, 2009, 11:23 AM

I watched the movie and I was amazed by the resolve of this young man and his determination to puruse what he believes in. His approach to life problems and the way he faces danger is inspiring to all of us.

by Ben
June 24, 2009, 11:41 AM

i had the distinct pleasureof watching the documentary on PBS-POV last night. I have one word that can dezcribe how I felt while watching it -MOVED! It was so refreshing to see the growth and courage that Hamza and family expressed during the film. Hamza determination to evolve and adapt to the constant struggles surrounding is a lesson we can all learn from daily. I wish Hamza and family all the best...What a GREAT MOVIE! Side Note! The music is TIGHT! KOREN

by koren
June 24, 2009, 1:23 PM

I was inspired by this film. Seeing Hamza's intergrity and valor is so amazing. His commitment to his family and his community shows me that I have the power to make a postive change in my community. Thank you POV for showing the world what a real man looks like!

by Sandra
June 24, 2009, 1:38 PM

This movie give me hope that we can turn out good human being. We are vision of a next generation that will make it, do more than give the prison system their mind, body and soul. I see these you as the one will make it for their families, the community and save all who wish or want to be save.

by Margaret Gordon
June 24, 2009, 5:31 PM

As Salaam Wa Alaikum , My Brother my allah be with you and your family i enjoy the film very much. You showed the good in islam . Allah is so good and so kind and if people would take the time to listen to want allah and the muhammad pbuh have to said they would see that allah is the way. allah knower of the seen and unseen, creator of the heavens and the earth, lord and soverign of all things . I too am puerto rican from New York living in Texas our mosque is small but we are very strong.

by MARTHA RIVERA
June 24, 2009, 5:39 PM

assalam alikum, To my brother in islam I would like to say your story was very uplifting. I am a parent who works within our school system, that is a muslim school. I would love to hear more of your inspirational speeches and lyrics, so that i could rely a message to younger muslims. You are a true reversion to Islam, and may Allah (SWT) reward you immensely. Nancy (om Ziyad) Salama

by nancy salama
June 24, 2009, 9:50 PM

I love PBS specifically because you bring the public such light! Our country needs to see more positive reflections of good young men who understand the meaning of God, family and mission. Whatever face of God you acknowledge, may he (or she) be praised for bringing Hamza and his family to our family. Thank you, Jennifer Maytorena Taylor, I will very much look forward to seeing more of her work! Thank you POV.

by Jeanne Johnson
June 24, 2009, 10:33 PM

Just finished watching your movie. Mostly to see my brother-in-law (Moustafa Ayad) contribution to the piece. Plain and simple, keep doing what you do Hamza! We as a nation need more positive movements. Love and peace to you and your family.

by Elizabeth Ayad
June 25, 2009, 12:00 AM

your music is jumping brothers keep it up and never give up.and always remember allah is there.if u know u did'nt do anything wrong and u get blame for it only a test from allah (s.w.t).be patient.allah never forgets about his creation.

by badre
June 25, 2009, 12:43 AM

all send this new muslim cool movie link to all the friends u know it might really inspire someone!!!!!!!!!!!!! link below:

http://www.pbs.org/video/video/1160843137/search/newmuslimcool

by badre
June 25, 2009, 1:01 AM

Excellent Film. Photography & story line first class. Thanks for the very clear insight into the lives of Mulsims living their lives here in the United States [of Babylon] and thanks for the honest Point of View. Thanks to the brothers and sisters and thanks to POV. May Allah keep you safe and bless you all with continued Peace -Luqman from Otown CA.

by Luq
June 25, 2009, 1:45 AM

This is off the hook!!! Alhamdulillah,Subhan'Allah!!!
Congrats brother! May Allah continue to guide, protect you and your entire family. Ameen. =0)

by Izache
June 25, 2009, 9:24 AM

PBS has done it again. I salute the production staff and everyone who has contributed towards making this beautiful documentary.
I had tears of joy watching the two brothers who have managed to turned their lives around and now making a positive contribution to society with their music and social work. Only in America.

Peace to you and your family.

by Kamran
June 25, 2009, 1:03 PM

Alhumdulillah! This was awesome. I started watching it at work during my lunch break on the PC and couldn't stop. May Allah bless the efforts of everyone who participated in this great project & May Allah bless America with his Noor so that more people can understand Islam and Muslims....Ameen.

Salaam!

by kim
June 25, 2009, 4:47 PM

Fantastic movie......

by Terica
June 26, 2009, 12:56 AM

WOW,Thank you for your courage of conviction in attemting to break down sterio types, bad judgment and ignorance of ethnic cultures in America. I can understand the veils used by the woman are out of devotion, personal prefrence and a commitment to their God Alah. Being a liberated spiritualist I only hope it's not to opress them. Because as I can see the men partake in the use also. I believe in strict boundries, respect for the minds of people as far as what you put into the world also. keep the beats banging.

by Arin Allen
June 26, 2009, 4:12 PM

Brother Hamza Aslam Alikum.

Well done documentary. I hope all the best for you and your family.
Keep up the great work
Thanks go to all of you the director,Jennifer Maytorena Taylor, Filmmaker and all staff

More about Islam:
www.islamreligion.com

by Janna
June 27, 2009, 5:55 AM

Thank you Brother Hamza and your beautiful and loving family for sharing your story with us. It is awesome that you live your life with courage and compassion for your fellow brothers and sisters in humanity. May Allah smile upon you as you continue to walk the straight path shown by His Messenger. Amen.

by Rachel
June 28, 2009, 2:27 AM

As Salamu Alaikum Hamza and to all,
JazakAllahKhair for those who took their sincere time and efforts for the sake of Allah swt to develop your story into a vision of hope for others. InshAllah this will enlightened those who are struggling with the stereotypes and various types of oppression. May Allah swt continue to guidance to the straight path with rewards for our efforts in avoiding life's false and temporary pleasures which corrupt and destroy our societies Ameen.
Allah swt with You and Your Family Ameen. Salam Oum Yusuf

by Oum Yusuf
June 28, 2009, 7:42 AM

Sallam and peace to those who seek.
Just want to say im from the U.K and wish to see this documentry, how do i go about it?? much help would be highly appreciated

Zazakhallah Khair

Brother MOHAMMED

by Mohammed
June 28, 2009, 8:52 AM

Jennifer, a remarkable film that rings true at so many levels. Thank you for showing us the humanity of this extraordinary family, their companions in faith and struggle, and for how they have summoned forth the best in their neighbors in Pittsburgh and elsewhere. Blessings on the jail ministry, on the people of goodwill who had the humility to restore justice and respect to Hamza. And you, Hamza, are what our Jewish friends call Mensch, what in the 'hood we say is to be a righteous man. You in your struggle to fulfill your humanity and honor what God has created in you take your place alongside Malcolm, Martin, Dominique Green, Fannie Lou, Dorothy Day, and so many men and women in the human caravan, who are windows to us all onto what is our calling. Blessings on you who have blessed us all!

by Ron
June 29, 2009, 2:05 AM

I found this presentation most interesting and inspiring. I think the cross-cultural sub context of a young Latino man who joins the Muslim faith as a way to save his life, and by proxy his soul, inspirational and educational. This film also raised the issue of the Muslim community being targeted post-9/11 and can teach those of us who are non-religious why tolerance is so important. Thank you for allowing us (non-Muslim) to see into your life. I wish everyone well.

by Amanda
June 29, 2009, 2:06 AM

I was deeply touched by this film.. and so glad that we are finally getting to see
the spirituality that is at the core of the muslim beliefs.
Watching Humza go through the difficulties at the jail, and with the raid at the mosque, with gentle humility, was inspiring.
Thank you for allowing us to see into your lives... hopefully, this film will help
inspire greater understanding and acceptance, and lead us to a place where we can
all live together in peace.

by marly Wexler
June 29, 2009, 3:17 AM

salaam wa alaikum to the brother perez. i caught the documentary last...i think watched it 3 times as well as last night. i'm to see young latinos doing the right thing and as muslim we have to do the right thing for Allah sees and hear all that we do. but i was really encouraged by what you're doing up there. i'm here in jacksonville and need to try and organize something...so if you can point me a direction. i would appreciate that. blessings in the name of allah.

by knowledge
June 29, 2009, 11:24 AM

Was this meant to be a comedy? Surely nobody could be so
blind as to think this was in any way shape or form a true
representation of islam. I really enjoyed the few very fleeting moments of reality eg: when they laughed about having a Jewish friend ha ha ha imagine that a Jewish friend!! ho ho ha ha. good luck ummah no dhimmi here.

by nodhimmihere
June 29, 2009, 2:21 PM

i couldn't watch the documentary, because... there's nothing cool about any culture or religion that teaches inequality, and islam teaches gender inequity and is an insult to women... did you address this issue? and how uncool it is?

by yv
June 30, 2009, 9:40 AM

Thank you pbs and especially Hamza and his family for letting us have a peek into your lives. A couple of questions to put out there.
-What sect was Hamsi from (I thought I heard Sunni but I'm wondering if there are subsects within-some mainstream Sunni's may not identify with some of the stuff presented).
- I know people who convert to Islam do not have to adopt Arab dress but what about names? Do they have to change them or is that just a personal preference?
-During the footage of the Chicago event, I noticed none of the women shown were without a hijab. Since wearing a hijab is a personal decision, I would not expect to see so many people wearing one. For anyone attending the event: Was this accurate?

by kev
July 4, 2009, 2:29 AM

No disrespect intended for Hamza, I meant Hamza not Hamzi for the first point

by kev
July 4, 2009, 2:30 AM

Hamza, may Allah continue to bless you and your family.
I really enjoyed the doumentary. This is to a person that wrote a coment to you. wearin hijab is not a personal choice it is a comand for our lord Allah (s.w.a.t.)

by Khaliah
July 5, 2009, 10:25 PM

Salams, from Khaliah again i made a mistake when I wrote
wearing hijab was a comand for Allah I ment a comand from
Allah (s.w.a.t.).People really need to get their facts,
correct before making statements. Alhamdulliah I am a Muslim and have been for seventeen years. There is only One true Islam, Al-Islam.

Khaliah

by Khaliah
July 5, 2009, 10:43 PM

Hamza on Global Grind blog!

Global Grind - 16 Bars in Arabic
By Hamza Pérez

My Name is Ba-nor from the Puerto Rican Hip Hop group M-Team also known as Hamza Perez from the award winning PBS film (New Muslim Cool). Our group M-Team consists of My Brother (Zhivago) and I and our Style is like Public Enemy/Hector Lavoe seasoned with the Golden era of Hip Hop’s Lyricism (90’s). The PBS documentary shows some of my spiritual growth as I work with Drug dealers, Gang members, Christians and Jews...

Read more »

by Theresa Riley
July 23, 2009, 9:54 AM

Masha allah this was beautiful..As a teenage growing up in the US, this is one of the most positive documentaries done..Great Job.

I was wondering if brother Hamza Perez has a myspace/facebook. If so can I get the link. Thanks

Salam(peace)

by Harun
July 26, 2009, 8:01 PM

The film left me in tears of joy and pride. I’m a young single Catholic Mexirican mother of three beautiful children. I’ve worked hard on rising my children with values that I seen in your film, with religion and family. I feel these values are seen less in the real world and are taught even less at home. Que Dios te Bendiga

by Lucia Soria
July 29, 2009, 1:00 PM

Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful comments. Please sign our mailing list at http://www.NewMuslimCool.com and we'll send you updates and links to see exclusive video and hear samples of our upcoming expanded soundtrack album, soon available through our website and on Muxlim.com.

by Jennifer Taylor
August 1, 2009, 10:29 PM

Beauty and the East TV went to the New York City premiere of New Muslim Cool and produced this great piece available on YouTube featuring New Yorkers' reactions to the film.

by Theresa
August 3, 2009, 1:58 PM

It was wonderful watching this very moving, inspirational, "strengthful" POV. Hamzah's (Jason Perez) life is a beautiful example one turned around to serve the people and to better himself. His family - new wife, kids from both and their new baby - reflects promise and hope. May Hamzah and his family (including his mother, grandparents, brother and his mate's family members) continue to flourish and prosper under the favor of their Creator, Allah. Bless them continuously.

by Kimaling
August 10, 2009, 3:39 PM

The New Muslim Cool

When will you air it again?

by Dori Bell from Waterloo, Iowa
August 10, 2009, 4:29 PM

Re-Broadcast Information for New Muslim Cool

You can find out about re-broadcasts of New Muslim Cool and other POV films by checking the local listings on our TV Schedule page.

You should also know that New Muslim Cool is available online through August 20th on the PBS Video Player. Many of our programs are available online for a short time after their premiere broadcast. Again, check the TV Schedule page for a full listing.

Best-
Theresa @ POV

by Theresa Riley
August 11, 2009, 9:53 AM

SHUKRAN...

SALAAMS-
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST THANK YOU'S REGARDING THIS FILM AND WHAT HAMZA STANDS FOR... HE REALLY IS A BROTHER WHO IS STILL STRIVING FOR JENNAH, ANDTO BE A BETTER PERSON HERE AND INSHA'ALLAH IN THE HEREAFTER, MAY ALLAH(SWT) MAKE IT EASY ON HIM AND HIS FAMILY, AMEEN. I HAVE WATCHED THIS PROGRAM A FEW TIMES NOW AND YET I LEARN SOMETHING NEW FROM IT EVERYTIME, MASHA'ALLAH.
I TOOK SHAHADAH IN AUG'98 AND ALLAH KNOW THE STRUGGLES I'VE ENCOUNTERED IN MY DEEN, SO I SAY KEEP UP THE FIGHT, WITH YOURSELF AND IN THIS WORLD. HOLD TIGHT TO THE ROPE OF ALLAH(SWT), AMEEN.
ASSALAAMU'ALAIKUM WA RAHMATULLAHI WA'BARAKATUH

by QADIRAH ISLAM from WILKES BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA
August 12, 2009, 2:13 PM

@ Kev. Don't be discouraged from asking questions by the 'response' (attack) you received. I wish the writer took their own advice about 'need to get their facts,
correct before making statements'. As to your question. I'm not sure about the use of the word 'decision' but how a woman 'decides' to interpret things will influence whether she wears the hijab or not. So do, some don't. It's their right either way.
On a more positive note, I watched this documentary and it caught me from the beginning.

by d
August 22, 2009, 12:42 AM

"New Muslim Cool" Screens at Harvard University

Read all about it in this article previewing the screening in the Harvard Gazette.

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2009/10/new-muslim-cool/

by Theresa Riley from San Francisco, CA
October 20, 2009, 10:51 AM