IMAN Rocks the Apollo in Harlem, with Mos Def, Outlandish and More

By Farrah Hamid

January 25, 2010

The Inner City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) hosted a jam(literally)-packed event this past Saturday night at the historic Apollo theater in Harlem, New York City. This year’s show, a follow-up to last year’s sold-out Community Cafe at the Shabazz Center, featured a slew of talented cultural performances all aimed at celebrating the arts and entertainment that the Muslim community has to offer.

The night was kicked off by hip-hopper Khalil Ismail and the dazzling Progress Theater. Husband and wife duo The ReMINDers had the crowd on their feet with their bubbling energy – after all, who can resist anybody rapping in French. The duo was a great lead-in to the other European-influenced, hip-hoppers of the night, Outlandish, who sang their hit Aicha.

One of the biggest surprises was by Zeeshan Bagewadi and Sumayyah Ali, who stunned an audience still buzzing over the ReMINDers with a booming opera performance. Co-host Azhar Usman later joked, “Next time somebody says ‘all Muslims are terrorists,’ say no, ‘all Muslims are opera singers’!” Another major surprise was a darker, spoken word performance by the usually hilarious Aasif Mandvi, actor and comedian of The Daily Show fame. DJs Kidragon and DJ Raichous held their own throughout the night, keeping the packed venue in the mood with eclectic, soulful beats.

The night closed with roaring, urgent performances by Amir Sulaiman and Liza Garza, performing with Lisa’s baby on her back, “They can have the Earth, the pile of dirt, but the sky is ours,” rapped Sulaiman with the crowd singing along. Sulaiman was followed by the night’s headliner, rapper Mos Def.

The recent aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti remained on everybody’s mind throughout the show. Islamic Relief was on hand collecting donations, and remarks were given by Saafir Rabb and IMAN’s Rami Nashashibi. “I want Haiti to be free, to be free, to be free,” sang Mos Def in one of the evening’s many touching moments.

The sold-out show drew in a crowd of 1400, and was hosted by the colorful and energetic Ibrahim Abdul-Matin (complete with wardrobe changes) and comedian Azhar Usman, co-founder of “Allah Made Me Funny”. The evening ended with a closing prayer by Usman.