What’s Inspiring WANA? A New Take On ‘Radical Muslims’

We’re called the ‘West Asia-North Africa Institute;’ it’s little surprise that at WANA, we pay attention to how language affects perceptions. But efforts to describe the violent, self-described Islamist actors in our region enter treacherous linguistic territory. The media relies on modifiers like ‘extremist’ and ‘radical’ to describe the ideology of organisations like al-Qaeda and Daesh, the so-called Islamic State. Yet saying ‘radical Christian’ does not connote nearly the implications of the same modifier in the context ‘radical Muslim.’ This discrepancy stands despite individuals like the self-proclaimed ‘militant Christian,’ Anders Breivik, of the brutal 2011 Norway attacks.

That’s why WANA is inspired by Muslim-American Munir Hassan’s brilliant new clothing line, ‘Sidikii.’ In his company’s initiative to blazon “a positive message in a negative space,” T-shirts and buttons present skateboarding, keffiyeh-wearing, “radical Muslims” in all their glory. The clothing line, whose title means ‘my friends’ also features Arabic and English writing saying “Be Humble,” “Peace,” and “Change 4 the Better,” among others. Unlike most mainstream coverage of Islam, his line aims to represent every day Muslims--not the black masked marauders of ISIS--but the yogis, activists, hipsters, and entrepreneurs.

Creating a pulpit for voices like Hassan’s add much-needed nuance to media coverage of Muslims. And luckily, his shirts create a pulpit in themselves. He says “These designs give American Muslims a voice and tell others, subtly, ‘We are your friends.’”

Yes, the beliefs of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and his ilk are extreme and radical, but let’s not let these twisted individuals silence a dreadlocked skater bro who also happens to be a ‘radical Muslim.’

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/radical-muslims-clothing...