Amidst political and cultural turmoil in the urban periphery from France to Brazil, Muslim youth, in particular those of African-descent, have looked to the Black Freedom Movement, to the words of Malcom X, and to the musical flowering of that time as sources of inspiration.

Hip-hop, jazz, and reggae, along with Andalusian and Gnawa music, have become a means of building community and expressing protest in the face of the West’s policies in the War on Terror. At the same time, the US and some of its allies have used hip-hop and Sufi music to try to deradicalize Muslim youth abroad.

How is the United State's policy of "Hip Hop Diplomacy" combatting or fermenting increasing radicalization amongst Muslim youth abroad? How can understanding the rich history of music in Islamic protest movements help us foretell the future social and political change that will come from today's youth?

Join New American NYC for a conversation about the power of musical expression to give Muslim youth a sense of community and security in a relentlessly hostile world.

Hisham Aidi, Lecturer, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University. Author, Rebel Music: Race, Empire, and the New Muslim Youth Culture*

Deepa Kumar, Associate Professor, Media Studies, Rutgers University. Author, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire

*Copies of Aidi's book will be available for purchase

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