Mahtab Hussain Launches Kickstarter for 90-Day US Road Trip Documenting Muslim Communities
Photographer Mahtab Hussain has initiated a Kickstarter campaign to support a 90-day journey across the United States for his portrait series titled "Muslim America," which will be active until May 18, 2026. This endeavor began in 2021, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and encompasses portraits, interviews, and videos from six different cities, showcasing the diversity within Muslim communities. Hussain's itinerary includes stops in South Paterson, NJ; Minneapolis, MN; Islamville, SC; Islamberg, NY; Dearborn, MI; Horn Lake, MS; Houston, TX; and the Grand Canyon, AZ. His goal is to illuminate themes of belonging and spirituality while challenging stereotypes, with sitters like Raghad Alawazem and Ahmed Mohamed participating as co-authors from 2021 to 2024, celebrating resilience.
Key facts
- Mahtab Hussain launched a Kickstarter campaign for a 90-day US road trip to document Muslim America
- The campaign runs through 18 May 2026
- Hussain started the portrait series in 2021, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of 9/11
- He has produced portraits, videos, and interviews in six cities
- Planned locations include South Paterson, New Jersey; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Islamville, South Carolina; Islamberg, Tompkins, New York; Dearborn, Michigan; Horn Lake, DeSoto County, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; and the Grand Canyon, Arizona
- Hussain describes the project as a "collective self-portrait" focusing on belonging and spirituality
- He aims to challenge stereotypes and make visible the concept of "Umma"
- Portraits feature individuals such as Raghad Alawazem, Yhana Sibelle, Candice Ashley, Ahmed Mohamed, Malak and Sherouk Morsi, Mohammed Yasser, Sameen Brown, Ali Aljoom, Aisha Mawri, and Abdoulie Ebrahim Faal
Entities
Artists
- Mahtab Hussain
- Raghad Alawazem
- Yhana Sibelle
- Candice Ashley
- Ahmed Mohamed
- Malak Morsi
- Sherouk Morsi
- Mohammed Yasser
- Sameen Brown
- Ali Aljoom
- Aisha Mawri
- Abdoulie Ebrahim Faal
Institutions
- Kickstarter
Locations
- United States
- South Paterson
- New Jersey
- Minneapolis
- Minnesota
- Islamville
- South Carolina
- Islamberg
- Tompkins
- New York
- Dearborn
- Michigan
- Horn Lake
- DeSoto County
- Mississippi
- Houston
- Texas
- Grand Canyon
- Arizona
- Los Angeles
- New York City
- Baltimore