In February 2018, MIPSTERZ enabled Muslim and Muslim-adjacent musical artists to create a sonic experience that was both familiar and far-out—drawing upon a diversity of traditions, experiences, and visions. In the depths of the night, between mixing and meditating, we began to develop the early sketches of a Muslim future. The title track spearheaded by Yusuf Siddiquee, “Alhamdulillah,” was born capturing the spirit of celebration of self and society—sampling sounds from Khartoum and Cairo wedding circles and tabla rhythms from South Asia frosted with poems and raps of the Third Culture. 

In Spring 2018, Sara Alfageeh, Abbas Rattani, and Sumer Zuberi began brainstorming a beautiful Muslim future:  vibrant cosmopolitanism; remixed textures, patterns, fabrics, and streetwear from cultures and generations past; hybrid languages and melodies; diverse communities inhabiting majestic lands. Through an iterative process of an ever expanding circle of input from nearly 100 Mipster creatives and the contributions of generous supporters, ALHAMDU was born.

In May 2019, that group of creatives embarked on one of their first acts of futuring by convening in isolation to document the textures, patterns, and aesthetics of a not-so-distant Muslim future displayed through fashion, landscapes, and posture on film. 

In September 2019, we brought that initial vision to the world and asked you to join the project by bringing the next wave to New York City. <Kickstarter Link>

Initially, ALHAMDU was an audiovisual project comprising a series of portraits, a short film, and original melodies. A colorful and joyous look into a future where Muslims exist unapologetically. This is a bright America that exists tomorrow, shared today. 

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After completing the film and portraits, it became clear that there was much, much more to explore and we began planning for a larger project to include everyone and anyone working in adjacent spaces.

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With majority support from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges Program, ALHAMDU was able to grow into an evolving experiential art installation and archive that explores Muslim Futurism. Join us on this journey over the next several years. Learn more about the physical exhibit here. Access the digital archive and virtual exhibit here. <Insert links accordingly>
 

First wave of ALHAMDU film, visual portraits, and music is released!

MUSLIM FUTURISM:

DEFINITIONS, EXPLORATIONS, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS