Selected Press Coverage
"MWC is a platform were people from all walks of life, cultures, backgrounds and beliefs gather and let the ‘pot’ melt once again."
- The Nation (Pakistan), May 1, 2016
"The audience is made up of Muslims who dress differently, have different interpretations of the faith, and different skin tones. They’re here for the first monthly open-mic held by the new Boston chapter of the national Muslim Writers Collective, a national movement in the Muslim community has reached Boston. Young Muslims are creating non-religious spaces where they can share their experiences and their writing."
- WGBH (NPR), Mar. 3, 2016
"At a time when Islamophobia has reached new virulent and violent heights, MWC provides a space for young Muslims to honor their humanity...and be heard by others who know what it means to grow up Muslim in post-9/11 America...Media representations reduce American Muslims to stereotypes, tropes, or singular aspects of daily existence...The organizers of MWC are committed to nurturing a space where young Muslims from all kinds of backgrounds can be their full selves, without anxiety or apology."
- VICE, Feb. 22, 2016
"The Muslim Writers Collective is almost a movement more than it is even a startup. Founded...in New York in 2014 this monthly gathering space for writers and creatives has grown into a global network of Muslim writers with MWC chapters emerging in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Maryland, Toronto, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Each of the monthly sessions are filmed and then selections of the best performances are posted on Facebook for the global audience to see."
- Ummah Wide, Mar. 23, 2015
"Since launching, the Collective has held open mic events in New York on a monthly basis, with overwhelming attendance at each session...Each of the performances...depicts an American Muslim community that is more nuanced than the narratives often projected onto it."
- Muftah, Feb. 23, 2015
"An initiative dedicated to cultivating a “vibrant literary tradition in Muslim America.” The Collective started holding open mic events in New York in February 2014, which provided a previously unavailable public space for young American Muslim poets and authors to share their work within the community."
- Buzzfeed, Dec. 16, 2014
"In the face of...stereotypes, the Muslim Writers Collective is one attempt to reclaim the narrative of American Islam. Although the organization only launched in January of this year, it has been rapidly growing, becoming somewhat of a movement and spreading from New York to San Francisco."
- The Daily Beast, Oct. 12, 2014
Testimonials
“This is such a necessary space. Thank you for all your work and allowing me to be in the presence of all you sweet sweet souls.”
- Ahlaam Abduljalil, Berkeley
"Muslim Writers Collective. Sitting here feeling loved, crying together, laughing together & celebrating our existence."
- Elif Gorken, New York
"A space like this opens up a new narrative and a new voice. Muslim Writers Collective is the kind of space from which a Muslim Hemingway might emerge."
- Naqi Haider, New York
"Where else do we see high school and college students, young professionals, artists and lawyers coming together to share their stories? There are no other places like Muslim Writers Collective."
- Sami Rabb, New York
“What you have started is very important...Creating a safe, tolerant, and open space for sharing these experiences is critical and so far you been successful in creating such a space.”
- Ali Sheikholeslami, Oakland
"You are doing great work. I will try to be there Friday night and will spread the word. Keep up the good work."
- Imam Zaid Shakir, Berkeley
"MWC is a platform were people from all walks of life, cultures, backgrounds and beliefs gather and let the ‘pot’ melt once again."
- The Nation (Pakistan), May 1, 2016
"The audience is made up of Muslims who dress differently, have different interpretations of the faith, and different skin tones. They’re here for the first monthly open-mic held by the new Boston chapter of the national Muslim Writers Collective, a national movement in the Muslim community has reached Boston. Young Muslims are creating non-religious spaces where they can share their experiences and their writing."
- WGBH (NPR), Mar. 3, 2016
"At a time when Islamophobia has reached new virulent and violent heights, MWC provides a space for young Muslims to honor their humanity...and be heard by others who know what it means to grow up Muslim in post-9/11 America...Media representations reduce American Muslims to stereotypes, tropes, or singular aspects of daily existence...The organizers of MWC are committed to nurturing a space where young Muslims from all kinds of backgrounds can be their full selves, without anxiety or apology."
- VICE, Feb. 22, 2016
"The Muslim Writers Collective is almost a movement more than it is even a startup. Founded...in New York in 2014 this monthly gathering space for writers and creatives has grown into a global network of Muslim writers with MWC chapters emerging in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Maryland, Toronto, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Each of the monthly sessions are filmed and then selections of the best performances are posted on Facebook for the global audience to see."
- Ummah Wide, Mar. 23, 2015
"Since launching, the Collective has held open mic events in New York on a monthly basis, with overwhelming attendance at each session...Each of the performances...depicts an American Muslim community that is more nuanced than the narratives often projected onto it."
- Muftah, Feb. 23, 2015
"An initiative dedicated to cultivating a “vibrant literary tradition in Muslim America.” The Collective started holding open mic events in New York in February 2014, which provided a previously unavailable public space for young American Muslim poets and authors to share their work within the community."
- Buzzfeed, Dec. 16, 2014
"In the face of...stereotypes, the Muslim Writers Collective is one attempt to reclaim the narrative of American Islam. Although the organization only launched in January of this year, it has been rapidly growing, becoming somewhat of a movement and spreading from New York to San Francisco."
- The Daily Beast, Oct. 12, 2014
Testimonials
“This is such a necessary space. Thank you for all your work and allowing me to be in the presence of all you sweet sweet souls.”
- Ahlaam Abduljalil, Berkeley
"Muslim Writers Collective. Sitting here feeling loved, crying together, laughing together & celebrating our existence."
- Elif Gorken, New York
"A space like this opens up a new narrative and a new voice. Muslim Writers Collective is the kind of space from which a Muslim Hemingway might emerge."
- Naqi Haider, New York
"Where else do we see high school and college students, young professionals, artists and lawyers coming together to share their stories? There are no other places like Muslim Writers Collective."
- Sami Rabb, New York
“What you have started is very important...Creating a safe, tolerant, and open space for sharing these experiences is critical and so far you been successful in creating such a space.”
- Ali Sheikholeslami, Oakland
"You are doing great work. I will try to be there Friday night and will spread the word. Keep up the good work."
- Imam Zaid Shakir, Berkeley