The Museum has collaborated with the Muslim Educational Trust (MET) as a community partner for the Common Ground: Photographs by Fazal Sheikh, 1989 – 2013 exhibition. Rania Ayoub from MET speaks about the partnership below.
How is MET involved with the Portland Art Museum?
The Muslim Educational Trust is glad to partner with the Portland Art Museum and collaborate on many fronts. We appreciate being asked to give advice regarding the Common Ground exhibition and welcomed connecting PAM with local Muslim community leaders for their feedback as well. Our Youth Ambassadors gave a presentation about Islam to docents and engaged in a discussion following the presentation. We also collaborated on bringing Muslim Youth Voices to showcase its project at PAM. The In Dialogue seminar that was held on April 15th is another great highlight of our partnership.
Why is it important for art museums to work with organizations like MET?
Art is a universal language and museums usually have missions to foster dialogue between communities. MET is the perfect partner for such work. For 25 years, MET has nurtured a diverse array of youth and adults representing 40 different ethnicities and/or countries of origin. MET has been at the forefront of interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding efforts in the Portland community forging strong partnerships with over 55 local organizations, both Muslim and Non-Muslim, stimulating conversation and engagement, which has provided a foundation for peaceful co-existence for our diverse community. We are excited about potential future collaborations with PAM.
Join MET for two programs at this Sunday’s Miller Family Free Day (April 22, 2018).
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Islam Up Close & Personal
Muslim Educational Trust Youth Ambassadors Club
Whitsell auditorium, Main building, Lower level
Organized in connection with Common Ground: Photographs by Fazal Sheikh, members of the Youth Ambassadors Club at the Muslim Educational Trust lead a discussion and overview of the fundamental beliefs of Islam, including the five pillars, rituals, significant holidays, common misconceptions, and interfaith relations.
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Muslim Youth Voices Short Films Screening & Discussion
Whitsell auditorium, Main building, Lower level
The Muslim Youth Voices Project (MYVP) is a national initiative of the Center for Asian American Media and funded by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges Program. Through three summers of workshops across the country, MYVP amplified young people’s expression and celebration of Muslim life by giving them the essential tools to tell their own stories on their own terms. Under the direction of lead instructor and Sundance-winning filmmaker Musa Syeed, the films made through MYVP explore a wide range of genres and forms and create a unique, diverse, colorful portrait of Muslims in America.
Please join us for a screening of select short films from the MYVP, including films from Portland youth, before their national broadcast on PBS World Channel. Afterward stay for a discussion about the unique challenges and opportunities in telling Muslim stories.