Dear John,

Yesterday, Sue shared an important update email outlining the critical work that the MPAC Hollywood Bureau has been doing – and some of the needle-moving accomplishments we have achieved in just the past few months. Helping produce an Oscar-nominated short film. Having our own documentary, The Healer, make waves in the entertainment industry. Creating space for, and celebrating, American Muslims at world-renowned film festivals like Sundance and South by Southwest (SXSW). The MPAC Hollywood Bureau has come a long way since its founding more than a decade ago. 

We’ve been able to do all this because of support from community members like you. But we still have a lot of work to do in our fight for truth in Hollywood. That’s why, in the spirit of giving during this holy month, I’m asking you to make a zakat-eligible donation right now in support of the MPAC Hollywood Bureau. 

Help us own the narrative on Islam and Muslims in America

I’m proud to highlight our efforts to promote more authentic and inclusive representations of Islam and Muslims. By engaging with creatives in the industry, we are helping Hollywood get it right when it comes to portraying Muslims. But equally important, we are creating opportunities for American Muslim storytellers to showcase their own narratives.  We are helping ensure that audiences see us as vital contributors to American society and culture, and Islam as a religion of truth, justice, and peace.

We want to continue advocating for better representation of Muslims in entertainment. We want to continue providing resources for Muslim professionals in the industry. We want to continue putting truth into action. 

But we cannot do it without your support. 

Support the Hollywood Bureau by making a contribution today

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Sue Obeidi <[email protected]>

Date: Thu, Mar 30, 2023 at 8:05 AM

Subject: What's New in Hollywood

To: Salam Al-Marayati <[email protected]>

Dear Salam,

Ramadan Mubarak to you and yours. May this Ramadan be the best one yet.

From screenwriters, to directors, to executives, American Muslims are making waves in the entertainment industry, and we are so excited to see our stories and voices being welcomed and celebrated.

This Ramadan, we are proud to highlight the creativity of Muslim talent around the country, and because of you we are the leading Muslim organization in Hollywood working with our allies and community for better representation for Muslims in film, television, and podcasts. 

In fact, this Saturday, our short documentary, The Healer, will make its world premiere at the Oscar-qualifying American Documentary Film Festival in Palm Springs, California! 

Set during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, The Healer tells the story of Dr. Ebtesam Islam, a brave and remarkable Muslim doctor building bridges in the heart of the evangelical community of Lubbock, Texas. 

But that’s not all. Here’s a look at some of the other work we’ve done just in the past few months:
 

• Guide to Ramadan for the Entertainment Industry - In an effort to spread knowledge about this important month, we joined the UK Muslim Film and Film and TV Charity in launching a guide to Ramadan for the entertainment industry. View the guide here. 

• Quiet Part Loud - The Hollywood Bureau consulted on Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions on their podcast “Quiet Part Loud.” The series addresses anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia in this age of disinformation. You can listen here.

• Stranger at the Gate - President of MPAC, Salam Al-Marayati and I are consulting producers of the Oscar-nominated short film that tells the story of an Afghan refugee family who came face-to-face with a U.S. Marine with secret plans to bomb their community center. You can watch now.

• SXSW - In partnership with the Islamic Scholarship Fund, we presented the Inaugural Muslim House at the SXSW Festival. Featured programs included discussions with producers, creatives, and executives, and a watch party showcasing films from American Muslim filmmakers

These stories and achievements are a testament that the future of Muslims in Hollywood is bright. It is also a testament to the strength, resilience, and ingenuity of the American Muslim community.