contested space and

constructions of identity:

“being muslim” in new york city

a research project by ateqah khaki & daryl meador

participatory research & social inquiry, nitin sawhney

the new school

Photos by EPA/JUSTIN LANE, Wilson Dizard, Spencer Platt/Getty Images

impact of NYPD surveillance on

muslim american communities

SUPPRESSING RELIGIOUS SPACES>>suspicious congregants

>>hesitant community leaders

>>fear and refrain from appearing overtly “muslim”

SILENCING SPEECH AND ACTIVISM

>>silencing speech and political activism,

>>suppressing engagement ranging from participating in public debates and protests to friendly coffee-house banter

DAMAGING NPYD/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

>> breaching communities’ trust

IMPACT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES>>silencing activism

>>alienating their student groups

>>affecting their academic choices

developing a research question

how has NYPD surveillance impacted the way american muslim

individuals and communities in new york city manifest and

express identity?

participants

R & M

>>community activists & organizers

>>recent brooklyn college graduates

>>best friends

DIALA SHAMASfellow at “clear” cuny<<

co-author of “mapping muslims” report<<

methods

>>informal interview

>>workshop

>>cultural probes

in the words of our participants

"I think the most difficult part of being part-time

activist, part-time organizer, part-time whatever...

it's always trying to let your community know...

this is seriously something that is affecting you,

your families, your friends." -R

"Whether it's youth, whether it's talking to the

older generation, whether it's even talking within

our own circle, I feel like literally everywhere we

go, we radicalize these apolitical friends." -R

emerging themes

>>fear of surveillance and suppression of

expression

>>inter generational divides

>>muslim student organizations

>>community gender dynamics & activism

>>religiosity and willful avoidance

looking and moving forward

>>many shortcomings of our work

>>R & M as co-researchers

>>potential for intervention

>>other applications for our research

thank you!

questions? comments?

(feel free to stay in touch >> ATEQAH@GMAIL.COM)