2007 Programs and Events
Native Deen Celebrates Ramadan with Hundreds of Palestinians
October 1, 2007
Muslim-American hip-hip group Native Deen joined the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem in celebrating Ramadan with a 2-day concert tour through the West Bank and Jerusalem on October 1 and 2. Native Deen is composed of three young Muslim American musician/singers, who have performed and toured extensively in North America, Europe, and Africa. In accordance with the tenets of Islam, the group uses only percussion instruments and their lyrics speak of tolerance, responsibility, integrity, nonviolence and peace, making them popular with Imams and religious Muslim communities around the world. Their mass appeal, though, reaches well beyond the world of religious leaders to young people of all faiths who relate instantly to their youth, energy, and hip-hop rap rhythms. Native Deen has successfully blended a distinctly American musical form with a message that shows clearly how American and Muslim values fit together. For more information, go to www.nativedeen.com.
Ramallah events:
Native Deen's three band members, Joshua, Naeem, and A. Malik, performed two concerts for local youth in Ramallah on Monday, including a daytime concert sponsored by the Ministry of Education at An-Najah School and attended by more than 400 students.
As part of their own observance of Ramadan, the band was hosted by Minister of Youth & Sports Tahani Abu Dakka for an iftar on Monday evening.
- View Photo gallery of Native Deen Iftar with Palestinian Minister of Youth and Sports.
On Monday night, Governor of Ramallah Saed Abu Ali hosted Native Deen for an evening concert in front of nearly 200 fans at the Friends School in Ramallah.
Tulkarem event:
On Tuesday, Native Deen traveled to a youth center in Tulkarem for a daytime concert and question & answer session with students about being Muslim in America.
Burj al Luq Luq
Band members capped off their tour of Jerusalem and the West Bank with an iftar and an evening concert in Jerusalem's Old City Tuesday night at the Burj Al Luq Luq Community Center.
Radio Appearance
Coinciding with the upcoming release of their new album, Native Deen's tour also included a special live appearance on Amwaj Radio in Ramallah. During the hour-long appearance, the band discussed each of the new songs on their album, including the title single, "Not Afraid to Stand Alone."