Muslims' America - The Rock & Roll Muslim - English 1.1

For decades, rock-and-roll has been a staple on the American radio. But just as America evolves, so, too, does its music. Today, a California-born Muslim is reinterpreting rock-and-roll through both an American and an Islamic lens, combining the familiar sounds of American rock with traditional Islamic music and poetry. Yet he doesn't merely synthesize; his experiences as an American Muslim allow him to add a unique twist to his art.

In this third part of VOA's Muslims' America series, Imran Siddiqui explores the culture, values, and philosophy of Omar Waqar, an up-and-coming songwriter whose music creates an aural tapestry of rock-and-roll, qawalli, and his experiences as a young Muslim in America.

Growing up in the US, Waqar was drawn to the ideals of the punk rock movement. But as he got older, he began to notice similarities between these ideas and those of some traditional Muslim writers.

Rock-and-roll, qawalli, ghazal, and Sufism all helped to shape Waqar's identity. Now, they are all present in his music.

Waqar thinks cross-cultural understanding could be improved if Americans were exposed to Islamic authors and poets in schools. Students might see, just as he did, that many people share the same ideas across cultures.

As a Muslim in America, Waqar sometimes encounters ignorance and bigotry, but he hopes that his music might help to create a more positive image of Islam. "But really," Waqar says, "I just want to do what feels good in my heart."
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Summary text by Gary Butterworth
VOA Urdu TV

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News & Politics

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[DaFistPs3Dude4LIFE]

......i will be muslim not cuz of this movie i love god and i beleive in god and only god....but.........sorry mom sorry dad i wannabe muslim....

[yamani907]

Bismillah

As'SAllamu'alaikum

InshaAllah I hope this message finds you in the best of health and eeman~amin

I would just like to say you forgot to mention one other place of "islam in America"

This state would be the "LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN" I am talking about Alaska of course!

WE have well.......a big comunnity to me, but may be small for someone who comes from bigger cities.

~sallam

[heatfilter]

Muslims are good peeps but some of the ancient yet still radical way of social thinking are too much for me... have to be a real person, leave politics and religion aside.

[kyle887923]

they should all fucking leave

[rockkkralicesi]

@saltofearth60 duu? dude people want to make islam look bad thats what they want . christians are simply doing nothing

[SuchRecords]

@saltofearth60 LOL you said tried islam, like they tried drugs, 

[saltofearth60]

I had some friends that tried Islam, but found there was too much violent speech. Do a Google search and find out for yourself about the violence against christians.

[adltswim]

ALLAH ACKBAR

[leilafalls]

You guys should do more researching. I also suggest watch a video by Yusuf Estes, and I also read a few Hadiths myself - music (singing)- is not haram per say - because during the time of the prophet Muhammad (saaw), people were singing and reading poetry all the time. What IS haram however, is what you sing and yes, the use of the old arabic drum is the only instrument allowed.

You may refute. But for what I know, this is what i'm telling. There are different translations depending on scholar

[meatisdeliciouse]

Oh and this is NOT going to caus friction!? I have nothing against modarete muslims, but DON'T come over here and force you way of life on us. We do NOT ewant to become Islamic, I for one do not want sharia law as I am a homosexual and would be murdered by the delusional homophobic hunch backed barbarians. We will not let you take over the world. WE don't want it and will never bow down to you and let you take over our lands.

[raindrops07band]

@mikestrat56 Thanks dude! I'll do that :D

[acerb45666555]

2:06.....Jimi !! yay!