What Is New Muslim Cool About?
The premise of New Muslim Cool in 284 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the gritty streets of Pittsburgh’s North Side, a city where industrial echoes blend with the pulse of everyday life, Hamza Perez walks with a quiet confidence that belies his tumultuous past. Formerly entrenched in a twelve‑year stint as a drug dealer, he has turned away from that world, embracing Islam and a new identity that feels like both a rebirth and a reckoning. The film’s tone is unapologetically raw, mixing the hard‑edged realism of the neighborhood with the lyrical flow of hip‑hop, creating a atmosphere where hope fights for space amid lingering shadows.
Family ties anchor Hamza’s journey. With his brother Suliman Perez by his side, the pair navigates a linguistic tapestry of Arabic, Spanglish, and Ebonics, reflecting a cultural hybridity that feels both vibrant and uneasy. Their mother, Gladys Perez, watches the shift with a blend of concern and acceptance, recalling the Catholic roots that once defined their household. Through kitchen conversations and shared meals, the siblings bond over the challenge of reconciling their Puerto Rican heritage with a newly adopted faith, while Hamza’s burgeoning relationship with Rafiah Daughtry hints at a love story that bridges different worlds.
Against this backdrop, Hamza’s ambition extends beyond personal transformation. He dreams of building a mosque, a school, and a youth center that can become sanctuaries for a community yearning for direction and belonging. Music serves as his conduit, with the duo M‑Team delivering uncompromising beats that carry messages of resilience, redemption, and belief. The film invites viewers into a world where the streets are both a battlefield and a stage, and where a young Muslim’s voice rises above the noise, urging a new generation to listen, reflect, and perhaps find their own path forward.
What Happens in New Muslim Cool?
The complete story of New Muslim Cool, from the first scene to the last, in 643 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In the city of Pittsburgh, Hamza Perez is seen walking the streets, narrating two recurring life prophecies that arrive to him in dreams: a death at age 21 and a period of time in jail. He reveals that both prophecies eventually came true. He explains that at 21 he became a Muslim, a turn that symbolized the death of his old life. He recalls that the change began when, while he was on the street smoking marijuana, a sheikh approached him to discuss Islam.
While Hamza Perez visits his brother Suliman Perez to cook Boricua Halal food, the brothers discuss their cultural hybridity and how they communicate through Arabic-Spanglish-Ebonics, since they do not fluently speak Arabic, English, or Spanish. During a family gathering, their mother Gladys Perez expresses hesitation about the religious shift, noting that the brothers were raised Catholic and attended private Catholic school. She reveals Hamza’s birth name was Jason, and though unsure about Islam, she accepts her sons’ choices.
The brothers travel to Harlem to interview for a radio program where they discuss their music and the message behind their faith. While in New York, Hamza visits the projects to reach out to at-risk youth, as he works for a social service agency as an anti-drug counselor.
Back in Pittsburgh, Hamza lays out plans to build a Mosque, a school, and a youth center to serve the new Muslim community. He notes that people travel from various places to join a life free from drugs and alcohol and to learn more about Islam. He also shares that he has two children from a previous marriage and hopes to marry again, mentioning that in Islam dating is replaced by marriage.
Rafiah Daughtry(/actor/rafiah-daughtry) describes how she met Hamza on a Muslim social network and chose to marry after a long period of online courtship. She explains the wedding as a clash of civilizations, given his Puerto Rican background and her African American heritage. After their wedding, the couple travels to Massachusetts to meet more of Hamza’s family and to learn about his past as a drug dealer. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, Hamza introduces the new Mosque to the community, and reveals that the FBI has planted a hidden device on a light post pointing toward the Mosque. He continues to use his music as a means of religious outreach in Pittsburgh, arguing that art can resonate with those who face oppression and hardship. Rafiah admits she was initially anxious about his rap career, but grows to enjoy the music.
Two months later, the couple moves into a new home. As they prepare for a Fourth of July family barbecue, Hamza confesses his worry that things might be moving too smoothly. That same day, the FBI raids the Mosque during prayer hours, as seen in news footage and interviews with witnesses who describe gunpoint clearance and mass eviction. The official explanation cites the presence of a felon staying at the Mosque.
Six months after the raid, Hamza focuses more on family life, following the teachings of Muhammad and seeking cooperation with other religious groups. He begins teaching at the county jail and teams up with others, including Carol Elkid, a Jewish activist involved in a project that encourages Jewish and Muslim youth to express themselves through poetry.
A year after the raid, Rafiah is expecting a baby, and the family bonds over the news. Later, the county jail revokes Hamza’s security clearance along with two other Muslim clerics, with the reason left initially unclear. Months later, his attorney reveals that an old interview from 2003 connected to the release of a new album has come under scrutiny. The couple continues their work with at-risk youth and anti-drug initiatives, and Hamza keeps recording new tracks with Suliman. The film closes on a note of resilience as Hamza finally regains clearance to the county jail.
New Muslim Cool Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Prophecy Dreams” to “FBI Raid on the Mosque”. 12 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Prophecy Dreams
Two recurring dreams haunt Hamza Perez: one foretelling his death at age 21, the other predicting jail. The summary frames these visions as signs guiding his choices, foreshadowing major life changes. They anchor his early life in Pittsburgh as he searches for meaning.
When:before age 21 Where:Pittsburgh
- 2
Street Encounter with the Sheikh
One day on the street while smoking marijuana, a sheikh approaches Hamza to talk about Islam. The unexpected conversation marks the turning point toward religious change. The moment signals the beginning of a new path that will reshape his life.
When:before age 21 Where:Pittsburgh street
- 3
Conversion at Age 21
At age 21, Hamza becomes a Muslim, describing it as the death of his past doings and a spiritual rebirth. The conversion marks a fundamental shift in identity and priorities. It sets the stage for his future activism and community work.
When:age 21 Where:Pittsburgh
- 4
Suliman's Boricua Halal Kitchen
Hamza visits his brother Suliman to cook Boricua Halal dishes, a cross-cultural exchange that underscores their hybridity. They discuss Arabic-Spanglish-Ebonics as they communicate across languages they don’t fluently share. The scene grounds his faith journey in family ties and cultural fusion.
When:after conversion Where:Suliman's kitchen, Pittsburgh
- 5
Family Dialogue on Faith
During a family gathering, Gladys expresses hesitation about the religion while revealing Hamza’s birth name, Jason. She reflects on their Catholic upbringing and private schooling, then offers cautious acceptance of their choices. The moment frames familial tension and support during his spiritual transition.
When:early in faith journey Where:family home
- 6
Harlem Radio Interview
The brothers travel to Harlem to conduct an interview for a radio station about their music and religious message. The trip broadens their platform beyond the streets and into mainstream media. It marks a turning point in how they share their story.
When:during NYC trip Where:Harlem, New York
- 7
Outreach in New York Projects
In New York, Hamza visits the projects to reach out to at-risk youth, leveraging his experience as an anti-drug counselor. He uses his music as a form of religious outreach to connect with young people. The scenes emphasize direct community impact over fame.
When:during NYC trip Where:New York City projects
- 8
Mosque, School, and Youth Center Plans
Back in Pittsburgh, Hamza outlines ambitious plans to build a Mosque, a school, and a youth center for the growing Muslim community. He explains how people travel from different places to join a drug-free, faith-centered environment. The initiative signals a shift from activism to institution-building.
When:after NYC trip Where:Pittsburgh
- 9
Marriage via Naseeb.com
Rafiah describes meeting Hamza on the Muslim social network naseeb.com and deciding to marry after courting online. Hamza frames the union as a 'clash of civilizations' given their mixed backgrounds. The online romance leads to a real-world partnership.
When:leading to marriage Where:Online (Naseeb.com)
- 10
Massachusetts Family Visit
After the wedding, the couple travels to Massachusetts where Rafiah meets Hamza's family and learns about his past as a drug dealer. The visit deepens family ties and provides context for his earlier life. It also foreshadows the challenges he will face in his new role.
When:after wedding Where:Massachusetts
- 11
Return to Pittsburgh and the FBI Light
Back in Pittsburgh, Hamza introduces the new community Mosque. The film shows a hidden FBI light-post camera pointed toward the Mosque, signaling ongoing surveillance. The scene highlights the tension between his community work and national security concerns.
When:after Massachusetts trip Where:Pittsburgh
- 12
FBI Raid on the Mosque
On a Friday during the 4th of July, the FBI raids the Mosque, forcing everyone out at gunpoint. Witnesses describe the operation and the official reason ties it to a felon staying at the Mosque for the evening. The raid becomes a pivotal turning point for Hamza’s family and career.
When:Friday, July 4 Where:Mosque, Pittsburgh
Who Are the Main Characters in New Muslim Cool?
4 characters, among them Hamza Perez, Suliman Perez and Rafiah Daughtry: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- HP
Hamza Perez
Played by Hamza Perez
A Puerto Rican Muslim activist-artist who balances religious leadership with family life. He shifts from activist rhetoric to practical community building, planning a mosque and youth programs while facing security clearance challenges after a controversial interview. His journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to guiding youth away from drugs through faith and music.
- 🎤 Artist
- 🕌 Faith Leader
- 👨👩👦 Family Man
- SP
Suliman Perez
Played by Suliman Perez
Hamza’s brother who hosts Boricua Halal cooking and supports his sibling’s mission. Their cultural hybridity is expressed through shared culinary experiments and collaborative music projects, underscoring family solidarity and creative exchange.
- 🍳 Chef & Cultural Curator
- 🎶 Music Partner
- 👨👦 Sibling
- RD
Rafiah Daughtry
Played by Rafiah Daughtry
Hamza’s wife who meets him through an online Muslim social network and navigates a cross-cultural marriage. She plays a key role in supporting the family’s move toward stability and religious life, while coping with concerns about Hamza’s rapping career and the couple’s public profile.
- 💍 Bride
- 💡 Partner in Social Outreach
- 🧕 Marriage & Family
- GP
Gladys Perez
Played by Gladys Perez
Hamza and Suliman’s mother, initially hesitant about Islam due to Catholic upbringing, yet supportive of her sons’ choices. She reveals Hamza’s birth name Jason and embodies the tension between tradition and faith, while ultimately endorsing the family’s journey.
- 👩👦 Mother
- 🗝 Keeper of Tradition
- 🕊️ Supportive
Where and When Is New Muslim Cool Set?
New Muslim Cool is set in Pittsburgh, Harlem, New York and Massachusetts (2000s-2010s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
2000s-2010s
The events take place in the early 21st century, highlighting contemporary urban life in the United States. It follows the daily rhythms of families, religious activism, and youth outreach in cities like Pittsburgh and New York. The timeline includes moments of public scrutiny, such as media interviews and a high-profile mosque raid, and shifts toward family life and stability.
Where
Pittsburgh, Harlem, New York, Massachusetts
The story unfolds across Pittsburgh’s urban neighborhoods and media hubs in New York's Harlem, reflecting a cross-country journey between a Muslim family’s home and public spaces. Pittsburgh serves as the focal point with the mosque and community programs; Harlem provides the backdrop for interviews and street-level outreach. Massachusetts appears as a family visit setting, showing the broader reach of the brothers’ lives. The film contrasts inner-city projects, private homes, and community centers to illustrate cultural hybridity in contemporary America.
- 🏙 Urban
- 🕌 Muslim Community
- 🎭 Cultural Fusion
What Are the Themes of New Muslim Cool?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity & Hybridity, Faith & Community and Music & Outreach.
-
01
Identity & Hybridity
The film centers on two brothers raised in a Catholic home who convert to Islam and navigate a blended cultural identity. They communicate in a mix of Arabic, Spanglish, and Ebonics, illustrating how language and faith blend to shape belonging. Their Puerto Rican and African American backgrounds converge into a unique, hybrid community. The story explores how identity evolves in the face of external scrutiny and personal choice.
-
02
Faith & Community
Hamza’s dream of creating a mosque, school, and youth center positions faith as a force for social good. The film follows efforts to build inclusive religious spaces and collaboration with other groups, despite obstacles such as the FBI raid. Family support and interfaith outreach are shown as essential to sustaining a faith-based community. The narrative frames religion as a catalyst for resilience and social service.
-
03
Music & Outreach
Music becomes a bridge between cultures, using rap and outreach programs to connect with at-risk youth. Hamza’s performances, radio interviews, and cross-cultural collaborations with Jewish peers demonstrate how art can convey religious messages without alienation. The film depicts music as a practical tool for healing, education, and dialogue within a diverse urban landscape. The private and public roles of the artist intertwine to shape community messaging.
What Kind of Film Is New Muslim Cool?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A grounded and hopeful documentary that follows a man's journey from addiction to faith, capturing the resilient spirit of building a community despite facing systemic obstacles and personal challenges.
- hopeful
- reflective
- resilient
- serious
- inspirational
- urgent
- religious conversion
- redemption
- community building
- hip hop
Content notes: drug use, police raid.
Quiz
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