Jewels of an Entertainment Eid Fest - Part 4

What happens when you cross a Palestinian with comedy? –Laughter that “rocks” the house

This day started up with picking up Mohamed Amer of Allah Made me Funny from the airport. This is one brother you would never forget. He”s legally homeless. Sitting with different people you learn soooo many different things.

• Hasan (Andulus), Mohamed, and myself were sitting and talking. Hasan mentioned how one time Preacher Moss mentioned a valuable lesson that he got from Damon Wayans, “If you want a job, do standup comedy. If you want a career, become a writer“

• About a month ago I was talking with Siraaj Hasan (Bridges TV - New Jersey) about how to go about releasing my documentary “Tufaan” I’m working on. It’s one thing to hear how it’s done, and another to know someone who’s doing it. Mohamed mentioned that Allah Made Me Funny movie which is being produced by Dave Chapple was recently filmed. The process as I understand it is: edit, release to focus groups, have premieres, finally release it to public.

• Mohamed mentioned that the most important thing to an artist is that as a producer, you keep your word. Write things down on a contract, and keep everything up to good standards.
  

• When putting a show together, know that marketing is HUGE part of it. Concept format is very important. If you don’t have a proper format, things will fall apart. Have an actual strategy and game plan that you will execute on.

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.“