The Wisconsin Muslim Project

- The following program is a PBS Wisconsin original production.

- Coming up on Wisconsin Life: a mosque director helping curb hunger in Milwaukee, a law professor making a case for civic engagement, the founders of a Muslim art collective, and a school liaison breaking new ground in Barron County.

It's all ahead on Wisconsin Life!

♪ ♪ - Announcer: Funding for Wisconsin Life is provided by Lowell and Mary Peterson, Alliant Energy, A.C.V.

and Mary Elston Family, Focus Fund for Wisconsin Programs, and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.

Funding for this program is also provided by the Doris Duke Foundation, supporting a more creative, equitable, and sustainable future.

- As-Salaam-Alaikum or 'peace be upon you.'

I'm Angela Fitzgerald, host of Wisconsin Life.

In this Wisconsin Muslim Project special, we join the Fox Valley Islamic Society in Neenah to learn more about the community here, while exploring the lives of other Muslims in Wisconsin.

Diverse groups of Muslims have been here for generations.

One thing ties the Muslim ummah, or community, together: their Islamic faith.

So, what does it mean to practice Islam and be a Muslim?

At the basic level, Islam has five pillars of required action.

Those being: Shahada, or declaration of faith; prayer; Zakat, an annual calculated charity; fasting during the holy month of Ramadan; Hajj, or the pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah.

Along with the pillars of Islam, there are also pillars of Iman, or faith, which includes the belief in the Quran, Islam's holy book.

Here at Fox Valley Islamic Society in Neenah, there is a vibrant community with a rich history.

The organization believes it was the first Muslim-owned prayer facility in Wisconsin.

The growing community means a need for a new, larger mosque being built a few blocks away.

This Muslim community is one of many in Wisconsin that make up the ever-changing tapestry throughout our state.

Let's explore some of these stories.

♪ ♪ First, we go to Milwaukee, where the director of a mosque is feeding his neighborhood in more ways than one.

[Islamic call to prayer] Hayya ala-Salah (Hasten to prayer...) - Milwaukee's Islamic Da'wah Center is a place for faith.

- Wa Ashadu anna Muhammadan Abduhoo wa Rasuloo, (I bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and messenger of God) balagha risaala.

(and in the eloquent message.)

- Fellowship.

- Get you something to drink.

This ginger beer's good.

- Angela: And for Brother Will Perry, a focus on what's important.

- And here you find Muslims from all over the world that come here to worship, to learn about their religion, to practice their faith.

- Angela: Brother Will spent almost three decades as a Milwaukee firefighter.

- So I thought I had the best job going then.

The 9-1-1 call is made.

You respond to the call.

You take care of whatever that emergency is, and you're done with that one.

- Angela: After retiring in 2006, he still felt the call to help others.

- Will Perry: It's a spiritual responsibility on my part to be of service to the best of my ability and within the guidelines that's legislated within Islam.

- Angela: That's why he took the role of Executive Director at the Da'wah Center.

- I'm kind of on that other side of the hill right now.

So I've gotta be thinking about, "What do you leave behind?"

- Angela: He's leaving a legacy of service.

He helped the center start a weekly food pantry.

- Brother Will Perry: This is an opportunity for us as a religious-based organization.

One of our creeds is to feed other people.

Regardless of who they are and where they're from.

So, we began the food pantry in 2007, out of my minivan at the time.

- Angela: It's grown from a small pantry out of a minivan to this.

[lively upbeat music] Truckloads of food, dozens of volunteers, cars lined up and down the street.

With the help of several community partners, this pantry is now a crucial lifeline.

- I hope y'all got some bread so I can feed the animals.

- We got bread in there; We got bread.

We got a little bit of everything over there.

- We touch hundreds of people every single week.

And it's had a significant impact on the quality of life for a lot of people.

Thank you for coming; Appreciate you.

- I be coming here for twelve years.

- Twelve years you've been here?

- Yep!

- That's a blessing.

- Angela: Brother Will says they give away more than 10,000 pounds of food a week, curbing hunger in this North Milwaukee neighborhood.

- It doesn't matter whether you come here to worship or not.

It's our duty to be of service, and that's what we do.

- Angela: But this isn't the only Da'wah Center program making a difference.

[traffic noise] Down the street, the Ibrahim House is a living space and re-entry program for those leaving incarceration.

- When you get out, you can have a job, you can have a job, you can go to school, but housing is hard.

- Angela: James Watkins spent more than two decades in prison.

- And so, when these guys come out, they come out, and we are holding their hands and helping them through the process of re-entry back into society.

- Angela: The Ibrahim House Program provides the support to chart a new path.

- Brother Will: They get their own apartment, eventually get their own house, and they contribute back to the community here.

- Angela: That's what James is doing.

He's now an instructor at Marquette.

- It was a long road, but I had support.

Like, I had Brother Will.

I'm talking about his story, never really gets told.

Like, all the stuff he do.

He constantly, like, talk to me.

He constantly encouraged me.

He constantly supported me.

- Angela: It's all part of a life in service.

- Food pantry, prison re-entry, education, community service, working with religious and non-religious entities in our community.

Working, putting those folks together in a common goal.

That's all part of worship, too.

Okay.

- Angela: So, Brother Will says, don't expect to find him anywhere else.

His focus is on the Da'wah Center, his faith, and his community.

- It's the best thing going.

I don't see myself going anywhere else or doing anything else.

This is pretty much it.

I'm gonna be here, and I'm committed to this community until I'm done.

[lively music] - Now, let's head to Madison to visit with a law professor helping young people become more civically engaged.

[bright, cheerful instrumental] - Asafa Quraishi-Landes: I've always liked learning.

So, education, for me, is something that gives people tools to be better.

My name is Asafa Quraishi-Landes, and I'm a law professor at the University of Wisconsin.

So, I'm kind of famous in the law school here about using characters.

So, my Constitution Law class, I actually have people sign up to be Hamilton, Jefferson, Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

I have them play those characters in class, and I ask them questions in those characters just to bring it a little bit to life.

It allows the students to see things from a different perspective.

♪ ♪ I'm biracial.

I come from two different racial backgrounds.

My father was born in Jaipur, India.

He moved to Pakistan and partitioned.

So, his goal was to become this genius economist.

So, he ended up in California.

There, met my mother.

She's raised Methodist, and had tried out all the different Christian denominations, and ended up trying out everything else.

She read all the stuff and had never heard of Islam.

And said, "Oh, what's that?"

There's very activist personalities on both sides.

So, they started lots of institutions for American Muslim experience, starting in the '60s before they had any kids.

I grew up thinking about how to make a difference for a community that was just trying to figure out how to fit into this world of being a minority religion, but also American.

And what does that mean?

[piano] My journey to Wisconsin was very unexpected.

I knew I wanted to teach constitutional law, and I also teach Islamic laws.

And when I got here, I really, really was impressed.

So, it felt like the kind of social justice awareness issues on campus and in town was something people generally cared about and you could talk about it.

So, the Wisconsin Idea-- when I first heard that, I was so inspired.

The knowledge built at the university is a trust that is owned, really, by the people of Wisconsin.

I owe something back to the people of Wisconsin.

And that's a beautiful idea that knowledge is a trust.

It's actually quite an Islamic idea that it's something to be shared and has to be shared with people.

As things happen over time in the United States, things like Islamophobia ramps up, things like anti-sharia legislation around the country, I started to realize that there's a real need for some of the work that I'm working on.

Unfortunately, "sharia" has become a bad word.

It's like a scary word to many Americans, including those in Wisconsin.

And it's just a series of guidelines on how to live my life.

Sharia literally means 'street' or 'way.'

So, way to go.

So, the way I like to say it: it's, like, God's way to live.

So, for a Muslim, it's like, that's how God wants me to live.

I've been very interested in "How do you connect "with young people at all ages "and get them inspired by knowledge and interested in doing something productive?"

It gives me a real window into what's going on with, you know, twenty-something Muslims in the United States.

The model is: we meet every month in somebody's house.

Locally, I've been involved in an organization called Oasis or Madison Oasis, which is sort of like a third space.

And so, we had the model of you'll have monthly meetings in people's homes.

It's a potluck dinner, so everyone comes to eat.

And then, you have a topic of conversation or a speaker.

And so, we named it Madison Oasis instead of Amela 'cause some of the members wanted to call it that.

It's a really cross-section of lots of people's interests in the American Muslim Community.

We're all Muslim together, but we're also all these other things.

Let's bring all of that together and learn from each other.

Again, I grew up with, like, opening my house to as many people as possible, and that makes me feel really, like, I'm connected to the community.

So, I like that.

There's this other organization that my parents started called the Muslim Public Service Network.

Let's try to help Muslim Americans to have that role in policy-making by giving them free room and board for two months while they do an internship on the Hill.

It is your responsibility as an American Muslim living here to do something to help the greater good of the country that you're living in.

You follow the law of the land where you are.

That's our Islamic responsibility.

I would love for American reaction to be, "Oh, good, the Muslims are here!

They're always caring about everybody."

And I think that we'd be really better understood as citizens of Wisconsin, as citizens of the country, if that was more well known.

♪ ♪ - We continue sharing the stories of Muslims in Wisconsin by visiting the Fox Valley Islamic Society.

♪ ♪ On a quiet street in this small town is a modest mosque in the Fox Valley.

[Islamic call to prayer] Ilaha illa-llah.

It's a place where Muslims gather, pray, and worship.

I've come to this thriving community to visit and to learn from them.

- Raja Khatib: It's a kind of melting pot.

We have people from all over the world.

We have convert Americans.

We have from Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Afghanistan, China.

We have lots of people, lots of diversity.

This community is a beautiful community.

- To explore how this community came to be, I met with Fox Valley Islamic Society president Mamadou Coulibaly.

So, the story started late '70s early '80s with a handful of families.

- Mamadou Coulibaly: But then, that number grew.

And that's how they felt the need to build the mosque.

So, by the time they build the mosque, they were 30 to 40 families.

The community will expand from-- It goes from Fond du Lac to Green Bay.

So, this facility was built geographically so that it is accessible.

- To all of those, okay.

- Yes.

- As the community continued to expand, so did the need for a newer, larger worship space.

After years of planning and acquiring land, building of a new mosque began just down the road.

♪ ♪ - Mamadou Coulibaly: The mosque is built with that in mind.

You can expand at any time.

We have the footprint of the expansion.

We-- Everything is planned.

We just thought, "Let's just build what we need now.

"That is what is enough "for us and for the next 10 or 15 years.

"And then, the next generation would not have a hard time expanding."

- A new worship space also means the opportunity to share knowledge about Islam with their neighbors.

- Mamadou Coulibaly: Tell them what Islam is through our behavior and through our manners.

And show the best aspect of Islam.

So, we want to use the mosque for that.

Not everybody look like Muslim.

What does a Muslim look like?

[silence] See... [Mamadou and Angela laugh] - Angela: There's not one look.

You're right, there may be the perception that there is one look, but... - Yeah, if you look at me, what about me says, "I'm a Muslim?"

[Angela laughs] The point is that we are just like anybody.

So, we are part of the fabric of this society.

We are not some people who come from somewhere.

This is home for us.

I want to tell people that Islam is a beautiful religion, way of worshiping God.

That's our major duty.

And in doing that, we should respect other living creatures because they all belong to the same God.

So, with that, we should all get along.

We want to be seen as people of peace.

- People who are also dedicated to nurturing their community, now and for generations to come.

- Raja Khatib: I love this place and I love this community.

And we're looking forward to move, to be more active, and it let other know about us.

♪ ♪ - Angela: Now, let's head back out to meet more Muslims making a difference in the lives of others... [shimmery music] ...as we go back to Milwaukee to meet the founders of a Muslim art collective.

- Amal Azzam: For me, personally, pink is just such a vibe, always enjoyed using that color.

I don't like wearing it, which a lot of people find confusing, but I love using it, like, as the staple color in most of my work.

My name is Amal Azzam.

I'm an artist.

I'm also a co-founder of Fanana Banana.

[upbeat techno music] - Nayfa Naji: I mean, as any community artist, you're really trying to see what is lacking in the community.

What people are wanting, [squirting] what they're needing.

So, in those moments, that's what we do.

My name is Nayfa Naji.

I'm a graphic designer and an artist.

- Amal Azzam: But thank you all for coming.

We are just, like, so happy to see all of your wonderful faces.

There's a huge gap from an artist that is practicing to a professional artist that's featured in galleries and represented.

Like, there's a big gap in between that.

And so, I think now our mission is how we can change that for ourselves and for other people.

Like, so many artists leave and go to Chicago.

And it's like, "Well, there's a reason for that.

Hey, why don't we try to do something about it?"

And that's literally how Fanana came to be.

- Nayfa Naji: We went straight into, like, "Okay, let's make a logo.

Let's come up with a name."

So, Fanana in Arabic means 'artist.'

And then, banana just gave it that goofy twist to it.

[laughs] - Amal Azzam: It started with shedding a spotlight on Muslim or MENA artists.

And now, I think it's for artists that need it, I think.

[upbeat music] - Singer: ♪ Are you the definition of insanity ♪ ♪ Or am I ♪ - Amal Azzam: We want the artists to have, at least, semi-full house when we're having the shows, so they can get their work seen and have people follow them on Instagram.

Some artists actually have had their work sold, which was really, really cool.

- Mal Montoya: All you artists, please raise your hands real quick.

Their exposure to this general public is changing the landscape of art and culture here in Milwaukee.

- Amal Azzam: The current exhibition at MARN is titled "Reflecting My Muslim Americanism," and it's a show that features local Muslim artists.

And it features their work and the way that they represent their own identity, and the personal struggles, or just stories of Muslims in America.

- Nayfa Naji: This has been a personal journey, as, like, struggling with being Muslim, being American, and also being Palestinian.

So, to be able to showcase our artworks and give other artists the opportunity to do the same is really important, so thank you, guys.

[applause] Nayfa Naji: It also benefits people who don't know us.

And it's like, they're able to see us through art.

It's about a community and understanding.

It's really, really about understanding, honestly.

How can things get better?

How can things change?

Like, what is it that people are wanting or needing right now?

- Finally, we visit Barron, where a school liaison officer is making history in his community.

♪ ♪ - Isaak Mohamed: I'm a man who wants to help, you know.

I feel that no matter where you go in this world that you can at least do something, you know.

And I wanted to give back.

My name is Isaak Mohamed.

My title here in Barron Area Schools is Somali District Liaison.

I was born in Somalia.

A family of six.

Before I came to U.S., I was a refugee in Uganda.

I was part of the refugees still working with the UNHCR.

And then, I finally did my last interview in 20-- 2012 with U.S.

Homeland Security.

I was set to go to United States.

So, I was registered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This was extremely hard for me.

I was-- My face was getting dry.

My lips were dry.

And I'm like, "No, this is not-- This is a different heat."

And I had a friend who lived in Wisconsin, in Barron, Wisconsin.

He told me, "You know what?

"Most Somalis work here at JENNIE-O Turkey Store.

If you want to come here, see, and if you like it..." Started working at JENNIE-O Turkey Store as production on the floor.

So, I was volunteering for the schools while I was working at JENNIE-O and going to school.

And then, I got a full-time position here.

In 2018, I was hired as Somali District Liaison, where I serve all schools.

But I go where I am needed, and I receive all the emails and the work related for the Somali families.

We have children.

We have families here.

Our children look back to us.

Anything that you do will help you give to any human.

Kindness is what's, you know, Muslim faith tells us to be kind, to be a good neighbor, to be nice to your, you know, neighbors, help each other, you know, in the community.

Catfish, yeah, - Woman: How I?

Catfish, follow.

- Flew.

- Flew.

- I'm also a community health worker for Barron County Health and Human Services.

I have a Facebook campaign that I do awareness video.

I briefly say in English and then translate into Somali.

Vaccination in Barron County.

[speaking Somali] Waxaan bulshada ku dhaqan Deganadda Barron (I would like to update the Somali community) u shegeyaa xaladaha ugu danbeyey (about where we are at) ee COVID-19 (with COVID-19 in Barron, Wisconsin) iyo warka ka imanaya Xarunta Cafimaadka.

(and a report from public health.)

And finally, I started running for political office.

Why not give back to the community?

You know, you can do this, Isaak, and you can be a voice for those whose voices are not heard.

And I made it April 20, 2022.

The first Somali elected official in the state of Wisconsin for a local office.

So, I now serve District 3, and continue contribute to Barron City Council.

I propose on the agendas that this is what my community needs, you know.

So, like the housing, you know, part of this community needed.

So, that's been approved.

So, we have 40 units of housing.

I would say that, you know, we are lucky to be in Barron.

This, you know, the Barron community welcomed our community.

That's so nice.

We have seen integration in the community.

We have seen friendship.

We have seen, you know, Somalis known in Northern Wisconsin like they are part of the Wisconsinites.

You know, they're part of this community.

I was one time a refugee with no home, so stateless.

But I'm proud to be a citizen.

It's a great nation.

It's a nation for everyone.

It's a land of opportunity.

You can be anything you want.

- We've shared the stories of Muslims from across our state, learning about their faith, compassion, and drive to help others.

This episode is part of the Wisconsin Muslim Project, highlighting the stories of Muslims living in Wisconsin.

Learn more at pbswisconsin.org/voices ♪ ♪ - Let's conclude this Wisconsin Life special by hearing from members here at the Fox Valley Islamic Society, asking them what they love about the community here.

From the new mosque in Neenah, Wa 'alaykumu s-Salaam or 'peace be upon you.'

Bye!

- So, in my life, I didn't have a whole lot of sisterhood until I became Muslim.

And then, coming into this community, I was welcomed so immediately and readily.

It was amazing.

- This community is a pretty peaceful community, and when you come here, you feel safe.

And also, when you see these brothers, they all make shake hand and greet each other in a respect way.

When you say As-Salaam-Alaikum, peace be upon you, and then they respond back, "Peace be upon you, also."

As-Salaam-Alaikum, aydan!

So, this is beautiful, I think.

- Basically, you know, the Muslims need to stay together, pray together, and we are a community of diverse, you know, diversity from Muslims from all over the world.

- Just people here are so friendly.

They're open-minded.

They welcome into open heart.

And I made some friends here.

So, it's like, I feels like it is a second home to me.

- Funding for Wisconsin Life is provided by Lowell and Mary Peterson, Alliant Energy, A.C.V.

and Mary Elston Family, Focus Fund for Wisconsin Programs, and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.

Funding for this program is also provided by the Doris Duke Foundation, supporting a more creative, equitable, and sustainable future.