IRC Expands Storytime: Gains Bilingual Series

I am here to announce two amazing things for the Islamic Resource Center and you:

We have been tirelessly working to add books into our library and not only provide you with the first lending library of Islamic materials of its kind but also to expand our collection into Arabic materials. I may have mentioned this before, but with the inclusion of some of our newest arrivals (208 Arabic Scholastic books working their way into our collection), we officially have enough materials to not just have a Children's Arabic collection, but have its own space. Many of these books are well-known English books that have been translated into Arabic. Titles include "Heidi," "Princesses Don't Wear Jeans," and "Is Your Mama a Llama."

In addition, we heard your requests for more children's programming during the school year, in particular your requests for children's story time. So, "back by popular demand," we are starting this expansion by adding monthly story time sessions year-round to our already quickly expanding lineup of events for the community. Starting this summer, these will be bilingual events with all stories being told in both Arabic and English in addition to our regularly scheduled story times.

We can't wait for you to discover our collection!

Prison Blues and Preacher Moss Tonight at the Oriental

Join us tonight, 7PM at the Oriental Theatre, for the final film, Prison Blues, in our 2016 lineup complete with a special live stand-up comedy performance by Preacher Moss. Tickets are $10 at the door with refreshments and commemorative Film Festival T-shirts available for purchase on location.

Prison Blues and Preacher Moss to Close Film Festival at the Oriental April 21st

Join us April 21st at the beautiful Oriental Theatre 7PM for a short film, Prison Blues, a brief talk back session with one of the inmates from the film, and a special live stand-up comedy performance by Preacher Moss of Allah Made Me Funny. Tickets are $10 and refreshments and commemorative Film Festival T-shirts will be available for purchase.

About Prison Blues
It is estimated that 80% of inmates who “find faith” in prison, convert to Islam. Prison Blues, a Ta’leef Collective documentary film, directed and produced by Mustafa Davis tells the riveting and unheard story of the harsher realties inside the prison industrial complex in the United States through the lens of a Muslim spiritual narrative. Prison Blues explores the reality of incarceration in the United States and conversion to Islam through the Prison Industrial Complex.

About Preacher Moss
Bryant Reginald Moss, best known by his stage name Preacher Moss, is an American stand-up comedian and writer. He is best known as one third of comedy trio Allah Made Me Funny.

This one-two punch of amazing material is our final show of the season, so for those of you who have been thinking of joining us, now is the time to show your support or risk having to wait until next year.

"Al Helm" Today at the Art Museum

Hello all you film fest goers. The final showing of "Al Helm" is a matinee at Milwaukee's Art Museum #MMFilmFest2016. If you didn't get your chance to go earlier, now is the perfect opportunity to go see it. It is 2pm in the Lubar Auditorium. After the screening stay for the talk back session moderated by the Jewish Voice for Peace. Tickets are $8 at the door. We hope to see you there.

The Idol at the Oriental Theatre Tonight!

Join us tonight for "The Idol" at 7PM at the Oriental Theatre. This will be the only screening of this film. Tickets are $10 at the door. Refreshments and commemorative Film Festival t-shirts will be available for sale.

Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival To Show "The Idol" April 14th

The Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival's #MMFilmFest2016 next film will be The Idol. It is set to air 7PM Thursday, April 14th at the Oriental Theatre. Tickets are $10 at the door. This is our fourth film in the lineup and should prove to be a wonderful addition to our series.

Based on the incredible true story, The Idol tells the story of the talented Mohammad Assaf (played in the film by Tawfeek Barhom) as he travels from the Gaza Strip to Egypt to audition for the television show Arab Idol. Simply put, it his journey out of childhood and into the spotlight.

Al-Helm To Air Tonight at UWM

Join us tonight for Al-Helm: Martin Luther King in Palestine 7PM at the UW-Milwaukee Union Cinema #MMFilmFest2016. Admission is free to all UW-Milwaukee students. General admission is $8. Commemorative T-shirts are available for purchase at the door. Remember to stay for the discussion afterwards by representatives from Friends of Palestine.

"Al-Helm: Martin Luther King in Palestine" To Air Thursday at UWM Cinema

The next film in our festival series #MMFilmFest2016 is Al-Helm: Martin Luther King in Palestine. It is set to screen this Thursday (April 7th) at the UW-Milwaukee Union Cinema at 7PM. There will be a talkback session afterwards by speakers from the Friends of Palestine. UWM students get in for free to this event. General admission is $8.

"An African American gospel choir is the Greek chorus for a Palestinian play on Martin Luther King, Jr. which tours the West Bank, preaching nonviolence. The devoutly Christian choir grew up in churches strongly allied with Israel. On their first trip to the Holy Land they witness the harsh realities of life under occupation, a nonviolent movement for justice, and an assassination. Our story is a unique view of a crucial human rights conflict. Mixing the excitement of foot-stomping gospel music and creative theater it reveals the power of art to communicate, heal, and give voice to communities living in fear. It is a cultural exchange of immense depth and far-reaching implications, where, during the course of the journey, people's preconceptions are radically changed."

This is the first of two screenings for Al-Helm. The second will be held 2PM Sunday, April 17th at the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) with a talkback session by the Jewish Voice for Peace. Tickets will be $8.

Guantanamo's Child Airs Tonight at the Art Museum

Quick reminder to you film buffs out there, Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival's #MMFilmFest2016 Guantanamo's Child airs this afternoon at the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) at 2pm. this is it's second and final screening of the festival, so if you missed the first screening, be sure to come this afternoon. Tickets are $8 at the door. We look forward to seeing you there.