Being a Muslim Artist with Ramy Youssef | The Conversation Series

A Beautiful Engagement Between Artist and Scholar. As part of The Usuli Institute Conversation Series, we are honored to host Ramy Youssef in conversation with Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl and Grace Song about the challenges and opportunities for artistic expression in advancing faith, understanding, and the human side of being Muslim. Ramy Youssef is best known for making TV's first Muslim American sitcom, Hulu's millennial comedy series entitled, "Ramy." He also recently released his HBO Original stand-up comedy special entitled, "Feelings." Both shows jump headlong into uncharted on-screen territory when it comes to the challenges confronting Muslim millennials attempting to navigate the grey areas of faith and religion, society and culture, expectation and acceptance, and ultimately, humanity in all of its forms. An honest, raw and fascinating discussion.
Hosted at the Usuli Institute, 14 September 2019.
For more on The Usuli Institute, visit www.usuli.org.

[@asds54321]

Dear sister, your videos and your narrative are so intelligent and thoughtful, while being true to Islam in nature. There is no material in the public space as unique and contemporary as your thinking and gift of speaking, and you are a MUCH VALUED asset to Islam and the Muslim world. I hope that you know this and that many of us are aware we are witness to this. Your dialogue and ability to articulate sophisticated concepts with such simplicity is an absolute GIFT to Muslim women and men everywhere, at a time where such critical thought is crucial for us as an Umma. Please continue this excellent work. Thank you and salaams 🙏🏾

[@ammarjadallah9579]

20 yrs ago, I read Abou El Fadl’s essays and books and was very influenced by his writings! Great to see him!

[@centric145]

Lucky u Ammar.I discovered the dr just some time ago.20 years ago I was a salafi folower

[@MrYusha]

I used to work at a bookstore in LA and one evening I was sitting on a stool behind the counter and reading The Great Theft by Khaled Abou El Fadl. Next thing I knew he came in with an assistant and his wife! I asked the assistant if I could be introduced to him and I was. He gave me his number and I gave the assistant mine and I found out he lived a mile away from me and he always would invite me to the halaqas for his UCLA students, the store I worked at closed and I started to work on his library at his house and we became the closest of friends. I was 24 and my mom had just died and my dad lived in the UK so he really made me feel like family. Every Friday night he, his wife and I would go out, usually to the movies and I spent every day or so at his house. I always told people he found me on the street like the dogs they rescue and took me in. I miss him and Grace immensely because I moved to London after about 7 yrs to live with my dad . I'm a Jewish convert from Iranian Aramaic Hebrew Jewish parents and Prof. Norman Finkelstein came to his house twice for dinner and he invited me for that too. So I got to hang out and talk with Prof. Norman Finkelstein too. God I miss those years I got to be in that environment...😢

[@kaitolumiere3066]

This was an incredible discussion! As a muslim working on my own art and manga I hope one day to be able to produce a compelling story like Rami has. Lets see many more muslim artists put their work out there and may they succeed in goodness 🤲🏼

[@nunchai_is_life]

Fantastic conversation. The series really touch me - it was realistic and so insightful. In particular, i loved the way he portrayed his parents and sister. I look forward to season 2 and other shows that follow in Ramy's footsteps.

[@Destinayyxnayy]

This was such a great conversation!

[@thanzilakhatun3374]

Loved this, watched the whole thing. Fantastic conversation!

[@queensizedfun1]

Aaaah thank you for sharing

[@shethewriter]

Wow this is such an insightful conversation, thanks so much for putting this together!!

[@sarahelmassaoudi6562]

What a great conversation. I loved the openness, honesty and insights!

[@shabnajchowdhury9814]

God, I loved this conversation. By far the most interesting, revealing, and informative interview I've seen Ramy do about his show.

[@salehfatma]

Two platforms; one (Ramy) that most of us live and the other (Sheikh) that we wish to live. Would love to see more discussions.

[@bookstudies8984]

well said

[@obaidulhaque7687]

Love this guy #ramy , love 💕 this conversation

[@norhantaher3916]

I love how Ramy teases that sheikh lol

[@anonymanonym4590]

Ya i really loved it. I like the fact the Dr. Understands his humour and didnt take it personally

[@rajeakhan9503]

Yeah ramy is love❤

[@AishaJin]

I like the show because it is very individualistic that it is from Ramy’s perspective and understanding. But it doesn’t mean that I agree with his perspective. With that said, I do like that individualistic perspective that he is not trying to represent a larger Muslim population. I also like how open he is in the conversation.

[@sevdenuruzunalli7051]

I enjoyed this conversation better than the show:)

[@dabigweav]

LOL.

[@adilkanouni5461]

The god father on tv Gives orders to take away your things. The god father here. Give away he's life time knowledge for your needs.. Me:one minute with school seating beside ramy.worth a thousand$ Lucky for any one havimg that chance.