1. contested space and
constructions of identity:
“being muslim” in new york city
a research project by ateqah khaki & daryl meador
participatory research & social inquiry, nitin sawhney
the new school
Photos by EPA/JUSTIN LANE, Wilson Dizard, Spencer Platt/Getty Images

10. impact of NYPD surveillance on
muslim american communities
SUPPRESSING RELIGIOUS SPACES
>>suspicious congregants
>>hesitant community leaders
>>fear and refrain from appearing overtly
“muslim”
SILENCING SPEECH AND
ACTIVISM
>>silencing speech and political
activism,
>>suppressing engagement ranging from
participating in public debates and
protests to friendly coffee-house banter
DAMAGING NPYD/COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
>> breaching communities’ trust
IMPACT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
>>silencing activism
>>alienating their student groups
>>affecting their academic choices

11. developing a research question
how has NYPD surveillance impacted the way american muslim
individuals and communities in new york city manifest and
express identity?

12. participants
DIALA SHAMAS
fellow at “clear” cuny<<
co-author of “mapping muslims” report<<
R & M
>>community activists & organizers
>>recent brooklyn college graduates
>>best friends

13. methods
>>informal interview
>>workshop
>>cultural probes

16. in the words of our participants
"I think the most difficult part of being part-time
activist, part-time organizer, part-time whatever...
it's always trying to let your community know...
this is seriously something that is affecting you,
your families, your friends." -R
"Whether it's youth, whether it's talking to the
older generation, whether it's even talking within
our own circle, I feel like literally everywhere we
go, we radicalize these apolitical friends." -R

17. emerging themes
>>fear of surveillance and suppression of
expression
>>inter generational divides
>>muslim student organizations
>>community gender dynamics & activism
>>religiosity and willful avoidance

18. looking and moving forward
>>many shortcomings of our work
>>R & M as co-researchers
>>potential for intervention
>>other applications for our research

20. thank you!
questions? comments?
(feel free to stay in touch >> ATEQAH@GMAIL.COM)