One Nation

Coming from 75 countries, 300 young Muslim leaders met in Doha, Qatar, from Jan. 16 – 19 for the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow conference to network and find ways of engaging major issues affecting the world. The result of the conference was the creation of an open letter addressed to world leaders that outlines policy recommendations meant to help strengthen relationships and create frameworks for collective action among Muslim communities, the larger societies in which they are a part and governments of minority- and majority-Muslim countries.

Joining thousands of other revelers Jan. 19 to celebrate the swearing-in of America’s 44th president, American Muslims held an inauguration gala at the Thurgood Marshall Center in Washington, DC that included members of Congress, Capitol Hill staffers, community leaders, students and musicians.

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On Friday, Jan. 9, the "Hijabi Monologues" held its first performance in Washington, DC, giving area residents a way to connect with the lives of American Muslim women and better contextualize and humanize their experiences.

Started in 2006 by three friends who met at the University of Chicago, founders say the "Hijabi Monologues" production is compelling because it is delivered through the medium of personal storytelling, which facilitates "creating a space for American Muslim women to share their voices; a space to breathe as they are..."

Elan Magazine, a leading publication on global Muslim lifestyle and culture, has released a free special inauguration issue that takes an in-depth look at Muslim responses to Presiden-elect Barack Obama's historic election. Included in the issue are exclusive features exploring the impact of Obama's win by Ilyasah Shabazz, a daughter of Malcolm X, and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Muhammad, a prominent African American civil rights leader. In addition to looking at Obama's impact at home, there are short reflections by everyday Muslims on how the U.S. can improve relations with Muslim-majority countries.

This inspirational two-minute video by Omar E. Hamid breaks down stereotypes about Muslim-Americans.

Now is the chance for individuals across America to help determine who will win this year's $50,000 prize money in the One Nation Online Film Contest. Individuals can go to www.linktv.org/onenation to vote for their favorite films, leave comments, and share with friends and family what films best exemplify the diversity of the American Muslim experience. Voting ends January 16, 2009.

In this video by Muntasir Sattar, a Muslim teenager who gets his girlfriend pregnant he faces difficult choices.

In this four-minute video by Faisal Abdullah, two siblings from Los Angeles receive an unexpected blessing.

From blues music to the ice cream cone, Jonathan Curiel’s new book "Al' America: Travels Through America's Arab and Islamic Roots" takes an important look at the influence of Arab and Muslim cultural traditions on American life. The San Francisco Chronicle writer's newest contribution to the national discussion concerning the place of Muslims in America's social fabric is both timely and optimistic, highlighting the parallels and shared values that exist among Americans, Arabs and Muslims around the world, including those here in the U.S.

This one-minute video by Janet Maya is a quick glimpse into the life of Laila, an Muslim-American woman who wears a full-face veil called a niqab, works at a university science lab in Los Angeles, prays five times a day, and also listens to rap music.