Unprecedented online initiative seeks to bring families’ hearts together for a good cause, even as they stay at home, by assembling some of the most important, emerging voices working in entertainment today.
The Free Virtual Show will take place SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020, at 5:00 PM EDT.
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Shelter-in-place means Eid-in-Place.
Mosques remain closed to the masses as stay-at-home orders regarding the coronavirus have extended through May in most parts of the country. Imams are still broadcasting prayers during Ramadan’s holiest nights. And people are still streaming. Over the last few months, it has become clear that the community finds a way to come together, even when physical proximity is impossible.
As Muslims miss out on assembling in person, Zakat Foundation of America is offering a way for Muslims to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the three-day holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Zakat Foundation presents: Eid-in-Place: A Free Virtual Show, which includes comedy, music, poetry, and other art forms – –all while maintaining the holiday’s spirit of charity and giving. The show’s performers have all achieved success in the mainstream entertainment industry, while remaining fiercely independent artists and important voices within their respective communities.
“We knew we wanted to do something for Eid al-Fitr, to mark the end of Ramadan,” said Amna Mirza, Zakat Foundation’s head of Marketing & Communications. “But we knew physical gatherings would be ill-advised, if not impossible. So we started planning an alternative. Eid-in-Place emerged as the perfect solution: We can still gather with our families and communities, celebrate with a fun night of entertainment, and even support the important charitable work of the Foundation. We are delighted to be presenting the show.”
The show is produced by Azhar Usman (PATRIOT on Amazon, RAMY on Hulu), who is a standup comedian, screenwriter and creative consultant. He echoes Mirza’s sentiments: “All of the talented performers on the lineup are not just world-class artists, but high-quality human beings. Everyone wanted to give back to the community and do the right thing during this pandemic. We are psyched about the show, and grateful to work with a forward-looking Muslim charity like Zakat Foundation.”
Usman will co-host the family-friendly show, along with fast-rising comedy collaborators Paul Elia (Conan, Stillwater, RAMY) and Danish Maqbool (former professional gamer @Dmaq). Performers and pop-in guests include indie hip-hop veteran Brother Ali (Fallon, Conan), on-the-cusp comedy star Zainab Johnson (Amazon’s UPLOAD, Netflix’s 100 Humans), one-of-a-kind poetic phenom Amir Sulaiman (HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, RAMY), London-based standup pioneer Shazia Mirza (BBC, Last Comic Standing), and UK-based nasheed-fusion duo Pearls of Islam (The Rabbani Project). Special guests are expected to be added. Imam Khalid Latif, Executive Director and Chaplain for the Islamic Center at New York University (NYU), will also stop by to bless the mic.
The event is a way for Muslims to celebrate the first of two major religious holidays (Eid al-Fitr), bringing mosques, families and other spiritually inclined community groups to one digital location to enjoy the Free Virtual Show, support the charity and seek the Divine Favor of God.
Learn more at zakat.org/eid, and register for the free show at eidinplace.eventbrite.com. It will be hosted via Facebook Live. Photos and more information available upon request.
In 2023, 90¢ from each dollar donated went directly toward programs serving those in need. 4¢ went to administrative costs & 6¢ went to fundraising costs.
