New Muslim Cool (2009) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The documentary is primarily set in Pittsburgh's North Side, where Hamza Pérez establishes his mosque and community programs. Additional scenes take place in Harlem, New York, for interviews and outreach, and in Massachusetts for family visits, showing the broader geographic reach of the brothers' lives.

• pittsburgh
• north side
• setting
• location
• mosque

The events occur in the early 21st century, specifically the 2000s-2010s. The documentary captures contemporary urban life in the United States, following the daily rhythms of families, religious activism, and youth outreach during this period.

• 2000s
• 2010s
• time period
• era
• contemporary

The film explores how Hamza and his brother blend their Puerto Rican and African American backgrounds with Islamic faith, creating a unique hybrid identity. They communicate in a mix of Arabic, Spanglish, and Ebonics, demonstrating how language and faith intersect to shape a sense of belonging in America.

• cultural identity
• hybridity
• Puerto Rican
• African American
• Spanglish

Hamza Pérez is a Puerto Rican-American former drug dealer who converted to Islam after twelve years in the drug trade. He relocated to Pittsburgh to start a new faith community, create a mosque and youth center, and use hip-hop music to reach at-risk youth with messages of belief and self-improvement.

• Hamza Pérez
• convert
• Islam
• rapper
• redemption

The documentary shows Hamza's efforts to build a mosque, school, and youth center as practical ways faith can drive social good. Despite obstacles like an FBI raid and revoked security clearances, the film demonstrates how family support and interfaith collaboration help sustain a faith-based community.

• faith
• community
• mosque
• youth center
• religion

Music serves as a bridge between cultures, with Hamza's rap performances and radio interviews used to connect with at-risk youth. The film shows how hip-hop becomes a tool for healing, education, and dialogue, allowing religious messages to reach audiences without alienation.

• hip-hop
• rap
• music
• outreach
• youth

Gladys Pérez, the brothers' mother, was initially hesitant about Islam because she was raised Catholic. However, she ultimately supports her sons' choices and their journey of faith, revealing Hamza's birth name Jason and embodying the tension between family traditions and new beliefs.

• Gladys Pérez
• mother
• conversion
• Catholic
• Islam

Rafiah Daughtry is Hamza's wife, whom he met through an online Muslim social network. She supports the family's move toward stability and religious life while navigating concerns about Hamza's rapping career and the public attention their family receives.

• Rafiah Daughtry
• wife
• marriage
• family

The characters speak in a mix of Arabic, Spanglish, and Ebonics, reflecting the cultural fusion at the heart of the documentary. This linguistic blend illustrates how identity evolves through the combination of heritage, faith, and personal choice in contemporary America.

• language
• Arabic
• Spanglish
• Ebonics
• cultural fusion

Suliman Pérez, Hamza's brother, supports the community through Boricua Halal cooking and collaborative music projects. His contributions underscore family solidarity and creative exchange, expressing their cultural hybridity through shared culinary experiments and musical work.

• Suliman Pérez
• brother
• Halal
• cooking
• family

The community faces a significant obstacle when the mosque is raided by the FBI, leading to revoked security clearances for Hamza. Despite this setback, the film shows resilience as the family continues their mission of community building and youth outreach.

• FBI raid
• security clearance
• challenge
• obstacle

The documentary delivers a hopeful message of personal redemption and community resilience. Despite confronting serious obstacles, the film emphasizes how faith, family, and music can drive positive change, ultimately showing Hamza returning to teaching and the family perseverance through hardship.

• message
• hope
• redemption
• resilience
• perseverance