Safar is an Arabic word meaning "to journey."  For this reason, it is an appropriate title for this project:  it is not only a literal journey around the United States, but also a quest to find out who we, the American Muslims, are.

Background

Over the last ten years or so, Americans have been wondering with heightened curiosity about who Muslims are and what their purpose is in America.  While some (the minority) have already made up their mind - for better or worse - the overwhelming majority are still looking for answers.

Several projects have attempted to answer these questions, including last year's "All American Muslim."  But one conclusion these projects never reach (they only hint at it) is the collective identity of American Muslims.  Yes, to say they are diverse is an understatement, but there is a common thread in the lives of all the Muslims here that needs to be explored.  Just as we have a general idea of what it means to be an American, or what it means to be a Muslim, there are also some commonalities that define what it means to be a Muslim in America.

Hence the reason for this project.

Synopsis

Safar is an examination of Muslims who immigrated to the U.S. and established themselves (sometimes against all odds), the generations that came after them, and those that reverted to Islam after having been raised in a different tradition.  The film will touch on issues like cultural barriers (between foreign and local, as well as amongst various immigrant groups), racism, religiosity, gender separation and female empowerment, and cultural hybridity.

The film will be a composite of interviews of ordinary Muslims from all over the United States, from all walks of life.

If you would like to be interviewed for this film, please visit http://projectsafar.com/interviews/

Why We Need Your Help

While we've already done some filming in our local community, in order to get more concrete answers, we must survey communities and individuals across the country.  If money wasn't an issue, this would have been long done.  But as we all know, that's hardly ever the case.  Here is what you will fund with your support:

• Additional production equipment and rentals
• Travel expenses (by far our largest expense)
• Film crew and technical help
• Post-production**

**Note:  $20,000 is the minimum budget in order to simply get this project off the ground.  Any additional funds we raise will be put towards post-production.

We thank Allah (God) for the opportunity to be able to speak to you, and thank you for all your support.  Peace and love!