Tufaan: Two Years Katrina

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.