ABRAHAM’S CHILDREN
Price: $310.00 Code: 2381 |
Directed by Nina Froriep
2010, 77 minutes
Purchase: $310 | Classroom Rental: $125
Special K-12 Pricing available. Please call us at 800-723-5522
Click to download: Children's Study Guide, Middle School Study Guide, High School & College Study Guide.
What does it mean to be young and Muslim in today's America? An invaluable and especially timely documentary, Abraham's Children takes us into the lives of 10 Muslim American adolescents, ranging in age from 10 to 17 years old, to share in their experiences and hear their stories in their own words.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world and in America. Yet, the subject of Muslims in America continues to be highly charged, dominated by fear and misunderstanding, used by various political and religious groups for their own agenda, and fueled as much by post 9/11 anxiety as by negative stereotypes in the media.
Abraham's Children offers a much needed corrective. A non-judgmental, apolitical portrait, it introduces us to 10 young men and women and their families. All but one are first generation Muslim Americans. The exception is Kasem (17), who emigrated from Yemen four years ago.
In addition to Kasem, there are five children in three Pakistani families - Saleem (16), Haleema (12), Imran (17), Anam (14) and Ahmad (10) - for whom cultural integration plays as much a role as Islam and fitting in with their American peers; two daughters of an American convert to Islam, Yasmine (12) and Dareen (11), whose focus is a pure Islamic lifestyle for her and her daughters; and two daughters, Naeemah (17) and Saeedah (16), of an African American father who found order and direction through Islam.
With warmth, humor and patience, the documentary allows us to get to know the kids and their families. Whether at school, at home or socializing with friends, we see them constantly challenging stereotypes; we hear about their hopes and fears, their efforts to maintain a balance between their parents' culture and traditions and their own modern 'American' lifestyle; as well as the difficulty of not having positive Muslim role models in America. In short, they are grappling with their identity and place in the world, much like every other young adult in this country.
Abraham's Children is an exceptional study of Islam in America from a youth's point of view, which can serve as a springboard to increase and deepen communities' awareness of people of different religious and cultural backgrounds.
“Abraham’s Children is a breath of fresh air and a heart-warming journey through Muslim identity in the land of opportunity… The documentary also serves as a more formal educational tool; as well as delving into the lives of its characters, it highlights and explores key aspects and issues in Islam such as its five pillars, relationships between the sexes and the hijab, yet always bringing the youth’s own insights to the forefront.” - Emel – The Muslim Lifestyle Magazine
“Elegantly weaves a series of American Muslim children and teenagers’ lives into a work that breaks stereotypes… I can see this film being used as a tool that bridges gaps between American Muslims and the greater public. I highly recommend this film for Muslims who work in interfaith or for Americans who would like to learn more about Muslims living in America.” – Imran J. Khan, Elan Magazine
"It is refreshing to learn history and vocabulary through the teenagers rather than professors or scholars. There is no agenda to this film other than an open, free discussion. Even the most devout of the teenagers lack dogmatism and speak candidly. Highly recommended to foster dialogue about religion." - School Library Journal
" [Abraham's Children] is a salutary antidote to much of the misinformation about Muslims in America, as well as a reminder that youths of any race or religion in America today do not have to conform to the superficial pressures of popular culture. Suitable for college courses in cultural anthropology, anthropology of youth culture, anthropology of Islam, and cultural diversity, as well as general audiences." - Anthropology Review Database
2010, 77 minutes
Purchase: $310 | Classroom Rental: $125
Special K-12 Pricing available. Please call us at 800-723-5522
Click to download: Children's Study Guide, Middle School Study Guide, High School & College Study Guide.
What does it mean to be young and Muslim in today's America? An invaluable and especially timely documentary, Abraham's Children takes us into the lives of 10 Muslim American adolescents, ranging in age from 10 to 17 years old, to share in their experiences and hear their stories in their own words.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world and in America. Yet, the subject of Muslims in America continues to be highly charged, dominated by fear and misunderstanding, used by various political and religious groups for their own agenda, and fueled as much by post 9/11 anxiety as by negative stereotypes in the media.
Abraham's Children offers a much needed corrective. A non-judgmental, apolitical portrait, it introduces us to 10 young men and women and their families. All but one are first generation Muslim Americans. The exception is Kasem (17), who emigrated from Yemen four years ago.
In addition to Kasem, there are five children in three Pakistani families - Saleem (16), Haleema (12), Imran (17), Anam (14) and Ahmad (10) - for whom cultural integration plays as much a role as Islam and fitting in with their American peers; two daughters of an American convert to Islam, Yasmine (12) and Dareen (11), whose focus is a pure Islamic lifestyle for her and her daughters; and two daughters, Naeemah (17) and Saeedah (16), of an African American father who found order and direction through Islam.
With warmth, humor and patience, the documentary allows us to get to know the kids and their families. Whether at school, at home or socializing with friends, we see them constantly challenging stereotypes; we hear about their hopes and fears, their efforts to maintain a balance between their parents' culture and traditions and their own modern 'American' lifestyle; as well as the difficulty of not having positive Muslim role models in America. In short, they are grappling with their identity and place in the world, much like every other young adult in this country.
Abraham's Children is an exceptional study of Islam in America from a youth's point of view, which can serve as a springboard to increase and deepen communities' awareness of people of different religious and cultural backgrounds.
Subjects & Collections
Reviews
“ Highly recommended . A warm hearted, open, and inviting look at what it is to grow up Muslim in America. A unique and viewer friendly film for individuals and groups of all ages. This is a delightful, open, non-judgmental, and sensitive look at life as an American kid. These kids just happen to be of a particular faith. Sometimes humorous, other times serious, Abraham’s Children is sure to generate much discussion and opportunity for viewers to seek to learn more through open dialogue.” - Educational Media Reviews Online“Abraham’s Children is a breath of fresh air and a heart-warming journey through Muslim identity in the land of opportunity… The documentary also serves as a more formal educational tool; as well as delving into the lives of its characters, it highlights and explores key aspects and issues in Islam such as its five pillars, relationships between the sexes and the hijab, yet always bringing the youth’s own insights to the forefront.” - Emel – The Muslim Lifestyle Magazine
“Elegantly weaves a series of American Muslim children and teenagers’ lives into a work that breaks stereotypes… I can see this film being used as a tool that bridges gaps between American Muslims and the greater public. I highly recommend this film for Muslims who work in interfaith or for Americans who would like to learn more about Muslims living in America.” – Imran J. Khan, Elan Magazine
"It is refreshing to learn history and vocabulary through the teenagers rather than professors or scholars. There is no agenda to this film other than an open, free discussion. Even the most devout of the teenagers lack dogmatism and speak candidly. Highly recommended to foster dialogue about religion." - School Library Journal
" [Abraham's Children] is a salutary antidote to much of the misinformation about Muslims in America, as well as a reminder that youths of any race or religion in America today do not have to conform to the superficial pressures of popular culture. Suitable for college courses in cultural anthropology, anthropology of youth culture, anthropology of Islam, and cultural diversity, as well as general audiences." - Anthropology Review Database