I joined the ISPU and the Tenement Museum for an event featuring the latest Muslims for American Progress (MAP NYC) data with three MAP NYC participants, educator Abeda Khanam, poet Rashidah Ismaili-AbuBakr, and filmmaker Ali Abbas and broadcast journalist, Liz Kineke. The panelists discussed the important contributions of Muslims to the social and cultural life of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. They explored how these community leaders—using poetry, prose, education, and outreach—have both shaped and been shaped by the Lower East Side, as well as how their contributions relate to the broader city.

On a personal note, in addition to the wonderful talk, I was very excited to see some of the portraits from the Muslims for American Progress NYC on display at the Tenement Museum.