New Muslim Cool

The events take place in the early 21st century, highlighting contemporary urban life in the United States. It follows the daily rhythms of families, religious activism, and youth outreach in cities like Pittsburgh and New York. The timeline includes moments of public scrutiny, such as media interviews and a high-profile mosque raid, and shifts toward family life and stability.

The story unfolds across Pittsburgh’s urban neighborhoods and media hubs in New York's Harlem, reflecting a cross-country journey between a Muslim family’s home and public spaces. Pittsburgh serves as the focal point with the mosque and community programs; Harlem provides the backdrop for interviews and street-level outreach. Massachusetts appears as a family visit setting, showing the broader reach of the brothers’ lives. The film contrasts inner-city projects, private homes, and community centers to illustrate cultural hybridity in contemporary America.

🌐 Identity & Hybridity

The film centers on two brothers raised in a Catholic home who convert to Islam and navigate a blended cultural identity. They communicate in a mix of Arabic, Spanglish, and Ebonics, illustrating how language and faith blend to shape belonging. Their Puerto Rican and African American backgrounds converge into a unique, hybrid community. The story explores how identity evolves in the face of external scrutiny and personal choice.

🕊️ Faith & Community

Hamza’s dream of creating a mosque, school, and youth center positions faith as a force for social good. The film follows efforts to build inclusive religious spaces and collaboration with other groups, despite obstacles such as the FBI raid. Family support and interfaith outreach are shown as essential to sustaining a faith-based community. The narrative frames religion as a catalyst for resilience and social service.

🎵 Music & Outreach

Music becomes a bridge between cultures, using rap and outreach programs to connect with at-risk youth. Hamza’s performances, radio interviews, and cross-cultural collaborations with Jewish peers demonstrate how art can convey religious messages without alienation. The film depicts music as a practical tool for healing, education, and dialogue within a diverse urban landscape. The private and public roles of the artist intertwine to shape community messaging.