Native Deen releases music video to support My Faith My Voice

Native Deen, one of the most well-known and respected Muslim hip-hop groups in the international community, today released a music video in response to the rising tide of Islamophobia facing America, especially in the wake of the New York Islamic cultural center controversy.

The music video, released as part of the “My Faith My Voice” campaign from which it takes its title, highlights many of the concerns Muslims have regarding the vilification of Islam and the heavy-handed focus given to extremist voices.

“As American Muslims, we feel like our voices have been drowned out by the extremists on both sides,” said Abdul Malik Ahmad, one of three young African-American Muslim men who comprise Native Deen. “People who claim to be Muslim but commit horrible acts of violence overshadow the vast majority of Muslims who are peaceful. On the other side, those who try to marginalize Muslims in society are equally outspoken in their divisive rhetoric.”

“Native Deen has always called to the middle path, but moderate voices like ours don't make headline news. As musicians, we know the power of music and hope to reach out to our fellow Americans through this song.”

In the opening verse, Ahmad sings: “They're saying we are savages, uncivilized/ Me, my community we work hard, / Every opportunity to break walls, / The fight, the lunacy that they cause, / Respect here to you and me, the same God./ Giving you the right facts, we keep repeating that/ Islam has been hijacked, we ain't like that,/ Then some lunatic goes on a rampage,/ Using violence and I'm outraged./ This is senseless, and its gruesome,/ Please don't let this, be a Muslim./ Awww maaan... We're all vilified,/ They're saying we are savages, uncivilized.”

Later in the song, Ahmad adds: “Go use the same steam, for youth to stay clean,/ Our earth to stay green, we want the same thing,/ 'Stead of burning books, extinguish disease,/ Help spark the flame to help children in need.”

WATCH THE VIDEO at www.myfaithmyvoice.com

Native Deen, a fusion hip-hop group, has inspired millions of people of all ages and ethnicities from around the world. Native Deen has toured more than 60 cities in America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, promoting Islam and positive interfaith relations. Over 4 million people have viewed its videos on YouTube, and its album, "Not Afraid to Stand Alone" is ranked #2 in the DC area on independent music site cdbaby.com.

In October 2010, Native Deen will release its newest album, “The Remedy.” For more information, visit www.nativedeen.com.

About My Faith My Voice
My Faith My Voice (MFMV) is a grassroots effort by American Muslims to present the diverse voices and faces of its community. Through its website, www.myfaithmyvoice.com, MFMV offers American Muslims a platform to reach out and speak directly to America through video messages and online social media outreach. To date, the campaign has generated more than 200 messages from American Muslims and has received a great deal of media attention and public support.