This #BlackMuslimReads salutes our sister,
Author Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins
Umm Juwayriyah: You have an upcoming play based on your latest children's book that #MuslimGirlsRead loves, Bashirah and The Amazing Bean Pie: A Celebration of African American Muslim Culture. Can you tell us about the book and why you wanted to bring it to the stage? Also, can you give some insider details on the play itself?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: Bashirah and the Amazing Bean Pie welcomes readers into the world of young Bashirah who is preparing for Culture day at her Islamic school and the Eid holiday. Bashirah and her family are African American Muslims and she plans to share a Bean Pie for her cultural dish. Bashirah gets help from Pop-Pop (grand-father) to learn how to make the traditional African American Muslim dessert. Honestly, I had intentions for the message of the book to reach 1 million people. I did not have any specific intentions to make the book into a play. I truly believe that Allah brings beautiful opportunities to us when we are ready for them. We do not necessarily know in what form the blessing will arrive. I was approached by the head of the theatre department at The Please Touch Museum to transform the book into a play. Now museum goers can see Bashirah and Amazing Bean Pie from February 16th - March 7th for a total of 15 shows:
Umm Juwayriyah: Knowing the story of Bashirah and The Amazing Bean Pie, I wont give it away, but can you explain a little about how you came up with the story? Why is the Bean Pie so significant and to whom?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: For me it represents a connection to the past, economic upward mobility, self-sufficiency, family, and community. I wanted to write a story that would have readers immediately know that the book was about African American Muslims. I (also) didn't want the current generation of Muslims to forget about the struggles and accomplishments that generations of African American Muslims made to the fabric of America and the establishment of Islam in America. I wanted to honor the history and the thousands of Black Muslims who converted to Sunni Islam from NOI. You would be hard pressed to visit a masjid founded by African Americans and not find a bean pie after Jumu'ah. It is ingrained in our culture as American Muslims. (Also) My father owned a Bean Pie factory. He employed most of his family and baked thousands of pies a day.
Umm Juwayriyah: As this is Black History Month, how do you think Black American Muslims fit into the celebration and history?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: Black American Muslims are Black Americans! We share the same history (and month of celebration). Many people don't know or choose not to acknowledge that between 10% to 30% of free Africans enslaved in the Americas between 1711 and 1808 were Muslims!
Umm Juwayriyah: Your books often showcase Black & Brown Muslim characters. Is that a conscious decision for you? Why is it important to you to represent Black & Brown Muslim characters in literature?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: It is important because Muslims have origins from all over the world. It's all about the education and representation. If you don't highlight topics that are important to you which in my case is the showcasing of Black and Brown Muslims, who will? We cannot complain about the lack of diversity in children's books, media , etc. if we are not willing to do something about it. Heroes are born everyday. We have to be the change we seek in the world.
Umm Juwayriyah: Because it is #BlackHistoryMonth and #MuslimGirlsReads supports the #BlackMuslimReads initiative, please share your top five (dead or alive) #BlackMuslimReads.
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: 1. Servants of Allah by Sylviane Doiuf 2. Taking Action by Barakah Hassan. 3. Proud by Ibtihaj Muhammad 4. Tried & Tested by Umm Juwayriyah 5. If I Should Speak by Umm Zakiyyah
Umm Juwayriyah: As a Muslim mother and entrepreneur, you're quite active, mashallah! What two pieces of advice can you share with our readers, especially mothers & youth, who want to actualize their passions and goals?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: Do what scares you but speaks to your heart! Keep your intentions pure and focused on pleasing Allah (swt).
Umm Juwayriyah: How can our readers stay in touch with you?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins:
Instagram: @ameenah_diggins
Facebook: @AmeenahDiggins
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: Bashirah and the Amazing Bean Pie welcomes readers into the world of young Bashirah who is preparing for Culture day at her Islamic school and the Eid holiday. Bashirah and her family are African American Muslims and she plans to share a Bean Pie for her cultural dish. Bashirah gets help from Pop-Pop (grand-father) to learn how to make the traditional African American Muslim dessert. Honestly, I had intentions for the message of the book to reach 1 million people. I did not have any specific intentions to make the book into a play. I truly believe that Allah brings beautiful opportunities to us when we are ready for them. We do not necessarily know in what form the blessing will arrive. I was approached by the head of the theatre department at The Please Touch Museum to transform the book into a play. Now museum goers can see Bashirah and Amazing Bean Pie from February 16th - March 7th for a total of 15 shows:
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic Ave
Philadelphia, PA
Umm Juwayriyah: Knowing the story of Bashirah and The Amazing Bean Pie, I wont give it away, but can you explain a little about how you came up with the story? Why is the Bean Pie so significant and to whom?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: For me it represents a connection to the past, economic upward mobility, self-sufficiency, family, and community. I wanted to write a story that would have readers immediately know that the book was about African American Muslims. I (also) didn't want the current generation of Muslims to forget about the struggles and accomplishments that generations of African American Muslims made to the fabric of America and the establishment of Islam in America. I wanted to honor the history and the thousands of Black Muslims who converted to Sunni Islam from NOI. You would be hard pressed to visit a masjid founded by African Americans and not find a bean pie after Jumu'ah. It is ingrained in our culture as American Muslims. (Also) My father owned a Bean Pie factory. He employed most of his family and baked thousands of pies a day.
Umm Juwayriyah: As this is Black History Month, how do you think Black American Muslims fit into the celebration and history?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: Black American Muslims are Black Americans! We share the same history (and month of celebration). Many people don't know or choose not to acknowledge that between 10% to 30% of free Africans enslaved in the Americas between 1711 and 1808 were Muslims!
Umm Juwayriyah: Your books often showcase Black & Brown Muslim characters. Is that a conscious decision for you? Why is it important to you to represent Black & Brown Muslim characters in literature?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: It is important because Muslims have origins from all over the world. It's all about the education and representation. If you don't highlight topics that are important to you which in my case is the showcasing of Black and Brown Muslims, who will? We cannot complain about the lack of diversity in children's books, media , etc. if we are not willing to do something about it. Heroes are born everyday. We have to be the change we seek in the world.
Umm Juwayriyah: Because it is #BlackHistoryMonth and #MuslimGirlsReads supports the #BlackMuslimReads initiative, please share your top five (dead or alive) #BlackMuslimReads.
Umm Juwayriyah: As a Muslim mother and entrepreneur, you're quite active, mashallah! What two pieces of advice can you share with our readers, especially mothers & youth, who want to actualize their passions and goals?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins: Do what scares you but speaks to your heart! Keep your intentions pure and focused on pleasing Allah (swt).
Umm Juwayriyah: How can our readers stay in touch with you?
Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins:
Instagram: @ameenah_diggins
Facebook: @AmeenahDiggins
Books by Ameenah Diggins
This is Useful. Thanks for sharing. Also visit this website for Hadiths in Arabic, Urdu and English translation, Naats Lyrics, Islamic Blogs, Prayer Times, Qissas-ul-Anbia and 99 Names Of Allah with meaning and translation.
ReplyDeleteIF Islam