The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

When I first caught the camera bug, I began photographing in and around the Detroit area. Every weekend I would go out shooting with my friends Titus and Marjorie. On this trip, Marjorie and I wandered into Arabian Village, a part of Dearborn, Michigan, that is home to a large Arab population. Once home to perhaps the Lebanese, the predominant group is now composed of Yemeni people. They are mostly low-income, transient workers. I used to stop and eat Yemeni fried chicken and lentil soup. Marjorie and I photographed this man sitting on his stoop, taking a smoke break. I believe his name was Muhammad. Hasselblad 501 C/M. Ilford Delta 3200 ISO. Hand-held, available light.

Retrospective?

Back in March of 2005, I went down on one cold, spring day to photograph my brother and his band mates who were all playing for Jill Scott. The band was in Chicago this day and it was a quick trip from Madison. I shot the Marina Apartments [Bertrand Goldberg was the architect] while waiting for them to set up. This image was recently made into a 24 by 36 inch print. Canon 10D, 100 ISO. Hand-held.

Retrospective?

The Weary Traveler, in Madison, Wisconsin, used to be a hang out of mine of sorts. On a rotating basis, they’d have an open mic session where locals would come up and play. I happened to be around [camera always handy] to shoot this one. I don’t even remember this kid’s name. Canon 10D, 800 ISO. Hand-held. Available light.

Retrospective?

They approach me in a half-hesitant sort of way, eye me curiously or compassionately, and then instead of saying directly, “How does it feel to be a problem?” they say, “I know an excellent colored man in my town….” Do not these Southern outrages make your blood boil? At these I smile, or am interested, or reduce the boiling to a simmer, as the occasion may require. To the real question, How does it feel to be a problem? I answer seldom a word.

W. E. B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk

يقول لي الواعظ أن تجاهد لنفسي

جاوبته أنني تعبانا

تقعد غرفان على كتفي تأكل عيني

لكن لا أصغيها

أشرحها مع منجل خشبي

لكن لا تصغيني

يغير دمي إلى قش

أنا نطار

ما زالت تقعد الغرفان على كتفي

تأليف قصيد

جالسا في حديقة و شقشقت العصفور تكسيرا الهدء

فتت وجهي إلى التراب

هراب أمام واجبي و حُبِسَ إماني

أتغني أغنيات الهرطقيين الذين يجلسون في صواوين هائزا الموازن عندها أعمالهم

لابسا فميصا أخضرا و أرغب لكأس الشاي

بإذن الله أسحج ذنوبا من جندي مجهول

تهدهدني القطرس بأغنيتها الحزينة

تأليف قصيد

A short sample of a couple of images from today’s shoot, continuing to capture material for the American Muslim Experience. More details to come. Many thanks to Shaykh Hajj Musa, for his time, energy and devotion to this project. At 84 years old, his energy is truly inspiring! Enjoy.

Imam Anwar Muhaimin

Hajj Musa

They say [well, ok, so I say it] that everyone has at least two faces. This is especially true in front of the camera. I had the pleasure of photographing the MANA Shura meeting in Philadelphia this weekend. Enjoy the shots. Click the link below to the entire gallery. Enjoy.

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