Jewels of an Entertainment Eid Fest - Part 3

Brotherhood is an amazing thing. No matter how many years difference, or how many miles apart, Islam unites us.

Our plan for Saturday was to take Zafar, Khaleel, and Mecca2Medina to Jersey Gardens outlet store and then head over to Brooklyn to Masjid Taqwa (Imam Siraaj Wahaaj’s Masjid). Before heading out we stopped at Dasham’s (Br. Dash) house. When we stopped there, two young girls came out. Hasan (Andalus group) told me that those are Dasham’s daughters. My reaction, “huh?! How old is dash?”

Hasan responded with saying, “How old does he look?“

I’m like, “twenty-five?“

Hasan said smiling, “He’s actually thirty-five. How old do you think I am?“

Raising my eyebrow I say, “You…I’d say look thirty-five.“

Hasan said, “I’m actually thirty-nine“

My reaction, “You’re almost old enough to be my father!“

Hasan laughs and responds, “I’m twenty-five at heart.“

- — -

This reminded me of a moment I had with Shaykh Khalid Yasin. Some months back Shaykh Khalid invited me and a few of my friends over to his home for some business. We were eating in his kitchen. I asked, “Hold old are you?”

Shaykh Khalid asks, “How old do I look?“

Biting my lower lip I respond, “fifty?“

Shaykh Khalid responds, “I’m actually sixty.“

I’m like, “Woah, you’re almost old enough to be my grand father.“

Smiling, Shaykh Khalid responds, “but, I’m young enough to be your brother.“

     

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Jewels of an Entertainment Eid Fest - Part 2

The day started off with picking up 786 Lead Singer Zafar Razzaqi from the airport. After picking him up, I learn that he’s from the Detroit area, and knows my man Atiq Nakrwala of AlMaghrib Institute.

It’s-a-small-world-af-ter-all

• As human beings we’ve been created with two eyes, two ears, and one mouth. Our audio-visual intake should be four times greater than our verbal output. Listen and observe more and talk less. You will learn a lot from what people say, and how they behave.

• Whether you are an event coordinator, artist, volunteer head, or just someone lending a hand, don’t forget to be nice. Keeping your cool and having good character is part of being an AWESOME Muslim — When it comes to any industry, learn the proper etiquettes. If you don’t…you will either burn others, or yourself.

• When doing business, keep to the principles of building beneficial, long lasting relationships, and holding up a system. Systems are what make a business run. Systemize and automate.

     

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Jewels of an Entertainment Eid Fest - Part 1

Almost two months ago I teamed up with the guys over at Ummah Films in the effort that our skills and abilities may help one another. Ali threw and idea my way to produce a def poetry jam video - Muslim style, using the art form without the cussing, explicit content, and inappropriate visual presentation of the poet to relay the struggles, aspirations, words, and stories of the Muslims.

In the process of fishing for a venue for such an event, I hooked up with Andalus Media Group as a volunteer with the hopes of getting a feel for the venue as well as getting to know the organizers and doing business with them in the future. I found myself as the volunteer head (appointed by the coordinators) and as a driver (task I personally wanted to do) for the artists and performers for the program.

Friday I went over to Newark Airport and picked up Adam Soltani of Meem Audio, Mecca2Medina (artists from the UK), and Khaleel Muhammad (artist from the UK).

The following posts over the next few days will be sharing jewels, gems, simple lessons that I’ve acquired during the course of the weekend.

• When picking up people from the airport, make sure that you know what they look like, or atleast have their contact information at hand, so when their flight lands, you know who to look for and where to find them.

Me being an individual who isn’t into the Muslim nasheed or even the music scene, I really had no idea who these individuals were. I had heard Mecca2Medina’s name being mentioned in an article that sister Yvonne Ridley had written against Sami Yusuf, but had never seen them. I had seen some of Khaleel Muhammad’s videos on Meem Music’s website. Adam Soltani…I had no idea who he was nor did I know what he looked like. The entire time I had been wondering, “What do they look like, and how will I know its them?”

• When picking up Muslims from an international flight, expect to be at the airport for at least a few hours. The Muslim passenger will either be held for nonsense questioning, or the immigration computers will be crashing.

• When bored or “stuck” in a certain place take the opportunity to benefit from those around. Ask questions and learn things that you may not have known. I have the pleasure of chatting with Adam Soltani from Meem Music about distribution and business aspects of it.

• Adam mentioned how Amazon.com has something called “Amazon Advantage.” People who produce stuff can use Amazon as a distributer. Amazon in return takes a 55% cut. – At first my reaction was, “Dang, that’s a lot.” Adam mentioned how industry standard is minimum 40%. If you go into mainstream distribution where the distributor makes millions for release, they take close to 70%.

• When volunteering or coordinating, keep any and all forms of communication available. Have your cell phone on and charged. Have ready access to your email prior to the event. Update your coordinators regularly, even if there hasn’t been any progress on tasks assigned.

     

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