It is a sad state of affairs but a reality nonetheless, that today, if you asked the average American to play a word association game and said the word ?muslim?, for some of them, their hair would stand on end. For many, the imagery that would spring to mind would be that of bearded terrorists wielding riffles. Given the islamaphobic environment that has taken root around us, even acknowledging publicly that we are muslim, has become for some, a conversation shrouded in stigma.

I?m a true believer that small events can cause big changes, and the actions of the individual, can influence the masses and truly alter the course of the future. To that end, I would like to invite you to take on islamaphobia with me.

I would like to create the possibility of positive imagery of muslims in the US media. I would like to see faces of everyday muslims, leading harmonious integrated, peaceful, positive lives in the press, because to me, that?s what we are about.

How am I going to do this?

A photography exhibition titled ?Faces of Islam?. This exhibition, will be covered by at least 2 media channels and the National press and is tentatively scheduled for the end of January 2007. It will be an audio-visual event, conceptualized by muslims, showcasing who we are as human beings first and foremost, and how we lead integrated lives in the US today. Its very important that all faiths are represented in the exhibition so I am seeking subjects who have friends from other denominations who may see the vision and value for this project.

How can you get involved? I am seeking any of the following

Subjects for the exhibition. I am not seeking models, I am seeking real people, with real lives, and who have real stories to tell.
Photographers to capture the essence of muslims and their friends
Event services. I have never put together and exhibition and could use some advice on how to make this happen
PR specialists to help secure a venue and create a PR campaign around the launch
Project managers to oversee timelines and logistics

How will we measure success?

In my mind, if a single person can be moved or inspired by an image that they see, or if a single person changes their mind about who they see muslims as being, then this event will be a universal success. I cant do this on my own, so Im really hoping that you read this posting, and that something positive resonates with you and you feel inspired enough to contact me to get involved.

Lets stop the noise and really make a difference for muslims everywhere, [email protected]