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Punk Country's Sunny Ali & The Kid Summons Pakistani Roots

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The two comprise the band Sunny Ali and the Kid, and their laid back, some say irreverent, treatment of topics --from women who wear head coverings to the heroin problem in Pakistan — has provoked some negative response from Muslims.

Saeed and Malik were born in the U.S. to Pakistani parents and have been influenced by the punk Islam movement, Taqwacore, based on a movie that depicts a number of Muslim 20-somethings living in one house, experimenting with drugs, skateboarding and punk music.

Hassan Malik told Here & Now's Robin Young that they don't want to encourage young people to drink or use drugs, they believe punk is about being honest and open.

"Punk is just being brutally honest to yourself  and to the world," Malik said, referencing the Taqwacore punk Islam movement. "[Even] if that means you want to get tatoos and skate... it's just the home for the Muslims that most traditional Muslims won't accept."

Guests:

  • Abdullah Saeed, drummer for Sunny Ali and the Kid
  • Hassan Malik, singer and guitarist for Sunny Ali and the Kid

This segment aired on July 11, 2011.

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