Listening While Muslim is a listening party hosted by Asad Ali Jafri (aka DJ Ase Wonder) and Abdul-Rehman Malik.

LWM is a sonic soul journey that crosses continents, languages, and genres, exploring music at the intersection of faith, culture, and politics. Join us for a journey into popular (and unpopular) culture to explore the centrality of Palestine to peace movements and social justice, as articulated in music and art. 

This will be a carefully curated experience to bring you right into the current moment with stories of solidarity and oneness.

We'll be joined by other special guests.

Asad Ali Jafri is a cultural producer, community organizer and interdisciplinary artist. Using a grassroots approach and global perspective, Asad connects artists and communities across imagined boundaries to create meaningful engagements and experiences. Asad has over two decades of experience honing an intentional and holistic practice that allows him to take on the role of artist and administrator, curator and producer, educator and organizer, mentor, and strategist. 

Abdul-Rehman Malik is an award-winning journalist, educator, and cultural organizer. In June 2019 he was appointed Lecturer and Associate Research Scholar at the Yale Divinity School. He also serves at the Program Coordinator at Yale University’s Council on Middle East Studies and is responsible for developing curricula and partnerships with public schools to promote better cultural, language and religious literacy about the Middle East to educators and students alike. Abdul-Rehman also serves as Director of the Muslim Leadership Lab, an innovative student leadership program being incubated at the Dwight Hall Center of Social Justice at Yale. He remains programs manager for the Radical Middle Way, which offers powerful, faith-inspired guidance and tools to enable change, combat exclusion and violence and promote social justice for all. 

Serena Rasoul is a Palestinian Ph.D. Student at Columbia University. She was recently named in the Top 40 under 40 Arab Americans in the US. Last Fall, she served as a Fellow at Harvard University, where she explored the rich ecological themes in Palestinian folklore. Serena recently completed serving as the Community Engagement Specialist for the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, where she consulted on a variety of artistic and community-based projects. And in 2021, Serena founded an organization called MA Casting and Consulting, which elevates MENA and Muslim creatives into mainstream spaces. Her organization spearheaded the first study and test on the portrayal of Muslim women on-screen alongside the Geena Davis Institute for Gender in Media and the Pillars Fund. Serena recently performed at the Kennedy Center in DC, has been featured in NPR and Variety magazine, and was recently named one of the Top 100 PoC in Media by AN Publishing. She holds a master’s degree from George Washington University and two bachelor’s degrees from The University of Virginia.

Wanees Zarour is an award-winning Palestinian-American composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist steeped in maqam and jazz music. His compositional and arranging styles transcend borders and draw from traditions spanning the entire globe. He is a community leader who believes in creating an environment conducive to artistic expression and collective music making. Zarour directs the Middle East Music Ensemble at the University of Chicago, co-directs the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, and leads 'East Loop,' a septet that explores the intersections between the maqam and jazz traditions.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Doors Open at 7:00 PM

Event Starts at 7:30 PM

RUNTIME:
90 minutes with no intermission

TICKETS: 
$25 Regular (Limit of 4 per order)
Risala is dedicated to ensuring as many people as possible can join our events. As a result, we aim to keep our events free or at a very low cost. In the past, individuals have purchased tickets and left them unused, which is not fair. I acknowledge that I am purchasing only what I need and intend to use the tickets I buy.

Please note that each ticket is subject to a $3 fee at checkout.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• *Online sales will end 30 minutes prior to the scheduled curtain time. At this time tickets may be purchased in-person at the box office.
• The box office opens 2 hours prior to the performance time for WILL CALL and walkup sales.
• We currently do not accept American Express at the box office.
• No refunds or cancellations available after purchase.
• Why am I being charged a $3 per ticket fee? CLICK HERE for details.
• Parking: For information on area parking click HERE.
• Area Restaurants & Bars: CLICK HERE for a list of area restaurants and bars.