Sociocultural Significance of Muslim Punk May 6-7

Story posted May 03, 2010

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"Muslim Punk and Its Sociocultural Significance," a series of events Thursday, May 6, and Friday, May 7, 2010, will introduce the Muslim musical subculture that was born from post-9/11 racism and multiculturalism. Events include the screening of the documentary film Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam, a panel discussion, and a musical performance by the Muslim punk band The Kominas.

The Muslim punk musical scene came about from post-9/11 Islamophobic politics. Muslim-Americans have faced tremendous adversity post 9/11; the Taqwacore music scene incorporates progressive politics into their performances.

The Kominas, formed in 2005, have performed with 45Grave (Los Angeles), The Genders (Tel Aviv), Riz MC (London) and M-Team (New York City). Band members are Basim Usmani (bass, lead vocals), Shahjehan Khan (guitar, vocals), Arjun Ray (guitar, vocals), Imran Malik (drums, vocals).

The documentary Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam, will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6, in Smith Auditorium, Sills Hall. The film, directed by Omar Majeed, follows the Kominas as they bring their unique band of punk to the United States and abroad.

A panel discussion with The Kominas, Majeed, and Prof. Dhiraj Murthy will be held following the screening. Michael Muhammad Knight, author of The Taqwacores, will also do a spoken word performance based on his book.

On Friday, May 7, The Kominas will give a "Muslim Punk Invasion" concert beginning at 9 p.m. in the Pub, David Saul Smith Union.

All events are sponsored by the departments of Sociology and Anthropology, Music, and Religion; the Asian Studies Program; the Bowdoin Musical Collective; and the Bowdoin Film Society.


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