“American Muslims: A History Revealed” Film Screening

The Muhammad Ali Center and Timestamp Media present two episodes from the PBS documentary series American Muslims: A History Revealed, followed by a conversation with members of the production team. The series examines more than 400 years of Muslim life in the United States through stories often absent from standard classroom history.

What families will explore

The featured history spans enslaved African Muslims, Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an, Muslim Civil War soldiers, early Syrian and Lebanese communities, Black Muslim life in Chicago, and South Asian immigrants affected by race-based citizenship laws. The subject matter and two-hour screening-and-discussion format are best suited to older children who are comfortable engaging with complex American history.

Panel discussion

The production-team panel includes executive producer, educator, and oral historian Zaheer Ali; journalist and series host Malika Bilal; and Edward E. Curtis IV, an Indiana University Indianapolis professor and scholar of Black, Muslim, and Arab American history. Their work encompasses documentary filmmaking, oral history, public scholarship, journalism, and the development of Muslim American history resources for K–12 educators.

Registration and arrival

Admission is free, but advance registration is required. The city-operated Muhammad Ali Center Garage is next door at 140 N. 6th Street; published rates range from $1 for less than 30 minutes to $22 for a full day, and clearance is seven feet. Several TARC routes stop within a short walk.

The building provides elevator access from the garage and street level, accessible restrooms and water fountains on every interior level, and a family restroom on level 2. Wheelchairs may be borrowed from the lobby concierge with a state ID. Service animals are welcome, and the facility also offers Braille wayfinding and GoodMaps indoor navigation. The venue does not state that this particular screening will be captioned.