"New Muslim cool" - pittsburgh movie

A film from pittsburgh, New Muslim Cool. Hamsa Perez was an ex con, from Connecticut, who decided to move to pittsburgh with his brother and a few close friends. he converted to Islam in prison. his neighborhood crew did also. they set up a mosque in the burgh. he and his friend also are rap artists. he also works with inmates giving programs on spirituality - the Pres. Bush spiritual faith based prison programs. he finds a woman online with a muslim dating service and they marry. she has children from former marriage, as does he. They form a beautiful family. he is a devote muslim man; doesnt drink, smoke, swear, responsible to his wife, children, community. But the FBI wonders what these muslims are doing in the burgh, they set up a raid of their mosque. No one is arrested, but the mosque is damaged. Hamsa is Puerto rican, so he is a Puerto Rican, ex con muslim. Who raps. And counsels inmates at the Allegheny Prison. this film is about him, and his wife and children, his friends, and his mosque. is there a difference between Muslim americans, and Arab Muslims? You bet ! Hamsa shows how American muslims are different, culturally, politically, from Arab muslims. Hamsa explained (in an extensive question answer session after the movie) that America is young, 300 yrs old, is evolving, that Islam is old, thousands of years, so Muslim America is emerging, its different, but its uniquely american. here is a you tube trailer. And here is another video location trailer. the reception before the film was great, great food, they had a bean, onion, parsley salad which was to die for, really great. the reception was great. Wonderful people. Two children came up to me, little boy and smaller girl, and they said "Salam Aleikum" and shook my hand. So beautiful. Priceless.

We live in such irrational fear, the FBI doesnt know what to make of a Puerto Rican, ex con, Muslim rapper who counsels prison inmates - i think there is a cynicism that overtakes police and FBI, they dont believe this guy is real, sincere. Thats understandable, given the con artists they have dealt with. But Hamsa is real, sincere, wonderful man, husband, father, artist. wow ! so many unique wonderful people in Pittsburgh. this was a great evening, first peter max reception, then this reception, great food, great movie, wonderful people.