Things aren’t always as they seem.

I had left New Jersey to film this documentary with the understanding that Katrina came and went, and I’m going to be collecting the personal stories of the people. After spending three days in Baton Rouge I came to New Orleans, only to discover that disaster is still there. It’s been two years, and the people outside of Louisiana have forgotten. The people are trying to survive.

I had the opportunity to talk with a few people. I got to interview four people, all of which gave their personal stories.

Imam Wali Abdel Raoof

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Hammam Ansari

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Abdullah Shakows

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Mohammad Siddiq

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Imam Wali Abdel Raoof was saying how people blame Allah (swt) for what happened. Muslims say that it was a punishment from Allah (swt) because New Orleans is a “sin city”. He brought the example of prophet Job (alayhis salaam). Allah tested Job not because he did anything wrong, rather because he was a good person and was close to Allah. He tested him so that his status may be raised…

…Allah (swt) is testing us so that our status may be raised

I spent only one day in New Orleans. I have to go back to capture the rest of the story and emotions this August inshaAllah.

As a human being, and as a Muslim, I strive not only to be thankful, but I also try to understand he wisdom in Allah’s decree. After having covered most of the key people in Baton Rouge, the reality of it dawned upon me.

Over the course of the past two days, these are the people whom I have interviewed:

Abu Abed Mubarak, Imam of Islamic Center of Baton Rouge

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Jane Whidbee Aslam, a ICNA Relief liaison and later FEMA coordinator during the Katrina crisis.

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Asif Hoda, a core volunteer in the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge

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Omar Suleiman, ICNA Relief Coordinator

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Abdul Qahhar, Islamic Relief Projects Coordinator

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Maqsood Ahmad, ICNA President, Louisiana

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Imam Abu Abed last night mentioned the five points of thankfulness:

1. humility
2. thanking the individual
3. loving the individual
4. recognizing that you don’t deserve it
5. not using it for bad

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Today we will be on the road to New Orleans inshaAllah…

When someone has an open wound, what is the best way to approach them?

I had heard about it, but I had never done it. This has been my first film project that I am doing away from home. I never realized how important it is to connect with the people, how important it is to touch their heart for them to open up and tell them your story.

Staying with the people as if you are part of the community has had an emotional effect on me. I’ve been here for about two days, and I feel like I am part of this community. I feel as if I have known these people my entire life. We have so much in common and so many levels we connect.

Talking with them, praying along side them, following along with their everyday lives is truly an honor. I have done three different interviews so far. With each interview my heart softens more and more. Hearing their stories, the moments that were moving in their lives, the ways they have grown, and changed, as well as the advice they have for myself and the people that will watch this is truly something that is a heart opener.

With each interview of the relief workers I am reminded of the Ansar of Madinah during the time of RasulAllah - sal Allahu alayhi wasalam, and it has only begun. We still have to meet with the survivors of the storm, and what they have to share with us.

The brothers and sisters have been more than hospitable to us since we have arrived. We had the opportunity to spend time with the youth, different brothers and sisters in the community. Had a chance to be part of a open house event with the neighboring places of worship. — One amazing this is how so many different Bihari (Bihar is a province in India, my birth place) people are here.

We have a long day ahead of us. Heading to New Orleans today inshaAllah.

What do you call a vacation with a purpose? - A film project

With the stress of school, work, family, and dawah…it was time that I took time off for myself. A friend suggested that I come down to Louisiana. That’s when a light bulb went off in my head! Let’s make a documentary film about the Katrina aftermath, two years later.

I wrote down all my intentions for doing this and I came up with this:

• Document the personal stories of the Muslims involved with Katrina.

• Show people that Muslims are integrated in American society. When something affects this nation from terrorism to natural disasters, will be felt as much as it’s felt by the non-Muslims. Show that Muslims are among the Blacks, Hispanics, Whites, Arabs, and Desis of America.

• Bring about awareness to the Muslims of other parts of America that their brothers and sisters need their help as much as it is needed overseas. Send money to Islamic relief and ICNA relief to help the people.

• Get more experience in the art of filmmaking
• Invest in “jannah stock”
• Add a feature to “Shift”

• Adventure
• Learn about the Muslims of Baton Rouge and New Orleans
• See the Katrina place and the effects of it two years after it happened.
• Learn the personal stories of Muslims and the ways they were affected.
• Network with Muslim

This is a film looks into the persona stories of the Muslim relief workers, and the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It’s something that hasn’t been done. Almost all the news coverage, and documentaries made about Katrina, focused on the whole political vibe, but it failed to capture the face and emotions of the people, their stories, and what exactly they went through. Being able to learn about what happens in the face of real disaster and meeting real people who have gone through that seems like attractive thing to do.

The message of the whole film that I want to bring forth is:

• In the face of adversity the bigger picture comes to mind and the small differences are forgotten. To Muslims and non Muslims alike.
• Muslims are part of this society.
• Your brothers and sisters need your help. Support them through established organizations. Spend your zakah money in this country. It’s needed.