This is looking to be hot! It's so needed. Who else is going?
SINGING OR SINNING? – THE BIGGEST MUSIC DEBATE IN CENTURIES
MURTAZA KHAN vs USAMA HASAN
f/ BROTHER DASH and MASIKAH FEESABILLAH
HOSTED BY ONE OF THE BIGGEST SELLING UK HIP-HOP ARTISTS EVER - TOMMY EVANS
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Part of the ‘EXPRESS YOURSELF’ conference, celebrating Muslim creativity
The absolute best of Anglo-Yankee creative and lecturing talent have been yelling out like Lil’ Jon on dodgy ecstasy for a very long time to take part in a conference that honours the Ummah’s innovative arts.
Ex-rapper Tommy 'Aimen' Evans as the host will take charge of the inevitable chaos with charm and superb mic skills.
Almost immediately there is the crucial debate about the permissibility of music in Islam between the bold and scholarly Abu Hasnayn Murtaza Khan (representing anti) and the famous and eloquent Dr. Usama Hasan (hailing from the pro camp). No such deliberation has taken place in living memory therefore fans will undoubtedly be screaming on the edge of their seats, waving banners for every daleel-powered jab and each Sunnah-sourced uppercut. Brother Dash and Masikah Feesabillah will add artists perspectives to the clash with powerful points of their own.
Thereabouts will also be the mammoth of dawah and favourite of both Peace TV and Islam Channel - Abdurraheem Green with the story of how he once wanted to be a rock-star.
Stuffed snugly in the middle you’ll find a special treat for the sisters – Press TV presenter Yvonne Ridley chronicles her years as a journalist for some of the biggest names in print and television while dispensing advice to all aspiring writers for their future endeavours. Plenty of sisterly Q&A with her will liven the Hajja Um Aref Hall no end.
The world-renowned superstar artist Mohammed Ali aka Aerosol Arabic will then storm the stage straight outta Brum and reveal how graffiti can change the world in a multitude of ways.
Abdullah Rolle, known in former circles as the producer for soulster Alexander O’Neal and pioneering rap crew Run-DMC will have time to reflect on his rollercoaster of a ride from mixing board guru to Islam and his aspirations for the future of the Islamic arts movement.
Arts College alum Alyas Karmani cannot be held back, he absolutely has to remove the veil on Muslim artistic contributions from waaaaaaay back and splash our senses with knowledge on what to do with the deeni paintbrush/keyboard and the correct appreciation of such phenomenally talented slaves of Allah.
In their respective sections innovative young poets Masikah Feesabillah, Warsan Shire, zkthepoet and Lil’ Mia will share their precious prose, offer unique insight into the creative process and review the contributions of audience members in a ‘Muslim Writers Awards’ sponsored workshop setting unlike any ever attempted at such a gathering.
‘Express Yourself’s most exotic artist goes by the name of Brother Dash whose 3400 mile trip from New Jersey will explode into a twenty minute exhibition launching his new album ‘Spoken Soul’. The audience will be able to learn about the inspiration and methods behind the LP and interact with Dash throughout.
The marvellous day will conclude with a final preview of the upcoming Arts Council backed documentary film ‘Deen Tight’ as we approach the July UK cinema premiere. The piece in question by the United States’ own Mustafa Davis discusses the role of music in Islam from the perspective of the artists involved in the scene of past and present.
To maintain the rhythm of inventiveness, pockets of stimulation will place themselves about the halls in the form of artsy stalls plus gifted journo’s, painters, designers, rhymesters, calligraphers, singers, fashionista’s, publishers and filmmakers for the audience to pick the brains of.
And what price entry to such a landmark event? The answer is: whatever you please to place in the tin, but be very generous as ALL proceeds go to a Midlands-based Mosque. No free admissions though.
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2 – 7pm Sunday June 14th 2009
London Muslim Centre, Whitechapel, London, E1
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Nearest Underground Station: Aldgate East
Closest DLR Station: Shadwell
Buses that stop nearby include: 205, 254, 25, D3
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All enquiries contact: Zakariyya King on 07846861228 /
zkthepoet@hotmail.co.uk
Conference brought to you by Elbows Out & Soul City Arts
FULL SEGREGATION
Event available to be viewed on Islam Channel and YouTube within weeks