In the first week, we looked at Asani’s work in Infidels of Love, where in one part, he describes the arguments and common debates about what it takes to be a muslim, according to certain people and groups. We see on one side of the coin those Muslims who strictly adhere to the shahada. Whereas the Qu’ran puts it in more inclusive terms, where essentially, the requirement is to believe in God. One step further and the requirements were to be grateful of God, rather than jut believe in his existence. There is evidence of this int the Qu’ran when analyzing the antonyms and roots of those o infidelity and infidel, and gratitude comes into the picture. So, it seems that many muslims have different interpretations of what it means to be a muslim and this has led to conflict. In the U.S., it also means to be apart of an oppressed group. The health statistics for Muslims are abysmal in this country, but only after 9/11. I wanted to take that idea a step further and ask what does it mean to be Muslim in America, especially after 9-11. I wanted to make or draw something that depicted a “regular guy” so unique, interesting–a person with character, and place new york city behind them. I think that must be a huge piece of the experience, like they are carrying it, even if its in the distance , just always there, a constant experience. I wanted to depict this experience of people who worship and practice Islam and the gross association the U.S. makes with terrorism, when the people are peaceful and regular and American.