Tariq Nelson

I would like to congratulate the UPF and all the volunteers and staff who helped to make the Prince Among Slaves Premiere yesterday at Howard University an overwhelming success. I am not exaggerating as any fair person that attended will tell you that this event was excellent from start to finish. I look forward to more work by UPF

I see events like this as a sign of the great things to come (insha Allah) from the maturing American Muslim community - particularly here in the DC area. The professional manner in which this film was made and in which this premiere was done is a sign that Muslim Americans have the resources and the talent to accomplish much when it works together. The film was extremely well researched - containing many authentic documents and commentary by scholars and researchers - the narration, by Mos Def, was well done, the pace of the film was superb and the picture quality was excellent

I had a chance to view the film myself (see some of my initial thought here) however, I must say that it was a different experience viewing this odyssey of survival and triumph with a large, ethnically and religiously diverse audience as I was able to gauge the reaction of the crowd to aspects of the film - especially it’s powerful and emotional ending. It is no surprise that it won best documentary at the 2007 Black Film Festival

As an added benefit of being at this premiere we got to meet several of the cast members and staff as well as Artemus Gay, a descendant of Abdur-Rahman Sori, who also attended the event. There was a discussion of the film afterwards that unfortunately I was not able to attend, but Abdur-Rahman Muhammad did and plans to write a review of that.

Everyone who loves documentaries - as I do - will have to add this must see film to their collection. It will be shown in February 2008 on PBS and I am confident that it will be well received insha Allah. The casual viewer will enjoy this film as it has many nuances of the history of Muslims in America. Those that did not get a chance to see it, check local listings in February and mark your calenders.

For those interested in having a special viewing of this film for your group (such as teachers and members of Film Societies) contact me if you as this can be arranged after it airs in February.