We work with industry professionals including screenwriters, producers, directors, studio executives, and others toward creating more nuanced Muslim characters and storylines on screen. We’ve started going beyond reviewing scripts and towards guiding storylines and character development.

In an effort to discover and nurture talented writers with unique voices and diverse backgrounds, we partnered with major entertainment studios/production companies to develop a series of labs to advance Muslim screenwriters in their careers. This series is an opportune time for writers to get their material in front of decision-makers who are looking to increase diversity in writers rooms.

Each lab is designed to focus on a specific genre and is led by top writers in that genre. Our labs are designed to be small and intimate to allow instructors to give writers the most one-on-one attention. Participants interact and learn from Hollywood executives, have their scripts evaluated, gain expert advice in pitching their projects, and network with their cohort of Muslim screenwriters.

For the past two years, to share the traditions of our faith with our partners and friends in the entertainment industry, we have hosted an “Industry Iftar” in Hollywood. Executives, screenwriters, producers, directors, and actors make up the packed guest list, which doubled in size from the first year to the second.

This is an opportunity for the Hollywood Bureau, as well as Muslim writers and creatives, to mingle with those who create the stories that are starting to include more Muslim voices than ever. Our guests have been excited to be included in this fun and informative Muslim experience during Ramadan — breaking fast together.

The Annual Media Awards

Our Media Awards honor artists, actors, activists and executives who use art and media to create illuminating, eye-opening portrayals of Islam and Muslims, promote inclusion and social justice, and inspire action.

In his first column for the Washington Post, Jamal Khashoggi wrote, “When I speak of the fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming of intellectuals and religious leaders who dare to speak their minds, and then tell you that I’m from Saudi Arabia, are you surprised?”

One year later, Mr. Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He had left his country and his family for the freedom to “speak when so many cannot.” We honor Jamal Khashoggi’s legacy of courageous journalism.

Mr. Khashoggi’s award was received by Karen Attiah, his friend and editor at the Washington Post.

Named one of 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine, Nijla Mu’min tells stories about black girls and women who find themselves between worlds and identities.

Mu’min’s debut feature film Jinn premiered at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival, winning the Special Jury Recognition Award for screenwriting. She also won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Screenplay at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and Outstanding Independent Feature at Black Reel. Jinn was released by Orion Classics and is currently available for streaming on iTunes and Amazon Prime, and Mu’min currently writes for the upcoming Apple series Swagger.

Created by Justin Marks, Starz’ series Counterpart transports viewers to a mysterious world hidden beneath the surface of everyday existence. The character of Naya Temple, a Muslim Intelligence Officer played by Betty Gabriel (Get Out, Westworld) doesn’t conform to the usual media portrayals of Muslims.

American Muslims are multidimensional, deep, funny, and complex all at the same time. Despite their different formats, shows like Hulu’s “Ramy” and Netflix’s “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” share a common treatment of the American Muslim experience. Their Muslim identity is a part, but not all of who they are, which makes them both so relatable to wider audiences.

For every positive step forward, there is still another stereotype or trope to address, but at MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau we will continue to work to bring our community even beyond equity and inclusion to appreciation and respect. We congratulate all of this year’s nominees and look forward to a future that authentically includes us all.

Taking the 76th annual Golden Globes as a case in point, the current state of diversity and inclusion in the industry is not just a fleeting Hollywood moment, but an actual movement towards greater and more authentic representation. 

This year we brought new conversations with and about American Muslims to the forefront of the nation's attention. From hosting panels for screenwriters to discussing Muslims onscreen at national TV festivals, we covered a lot of ground.