Mvzlamic: A Comic Figuring Out What it Means to be Young and Muslim

We love finding fun stuff on Instagram and our latest digi-crush is Mvzlamic, a sort-of comic that takes a sideways look at what it’s like to be young and Muslim in the UK.

The illustrations broach a wide range of issues and situations, whether it’s light stuff, like posing the perfect hijab selfie or flawlessly lining up facial hair, or more serious subjects, like facing ignorance or confronting racism.

Check out some of our favourite uploads below:

I recently read somewhere from Imam al-Ghazali that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'without a doubt, there are some angels who say 'pure is He who gave men beauty with beards,'' and it made me reflect on the perverse way in which bearded Muslims are perceived nowadays. For those of you who don't know, keeping a beard is obligatory for Muslim men, and it can be a real struggle for some on a personal level. _ So, this one's for the brothers who are called 'terrorist' or 'sand n*gger' for the beards they keep. Here's to my bearded brothers who are told they look 'scary' and 'uncivilised', and who are too often typecast as barbaric Islamist extremists. By Allah, you are beautiful in His eyes if not in society's (they just hate you cos they ain't you. It's not your fault your beard is hella spicy, mashAllah!)

A post shared by 🎨 (@mvzlamic) on Jan 31, 2018 at 9:13am PST

Trigger Word (swipe >>>) _ 'Allahu akbar' means 'God is the greatest', and is used in a variety of positive contexts by Muslims and native Arabic speakers on a daily basis. However many non-Muslims confuse this phrase for some kind of suicide bomber warning and often taunt Muslims by laughing as they recite it, as demonstrated by today's comic. _ This is a reminder to all my Muslim fam to exercise sabr (patience) in situations like these, because more often than not, all these kinds of people want is a reaction for the sake of their own entertainment. Of course if someone shares an incorrect view or assumption about Islam, we should correct them in the best way possible. But in all other cases, remember how Allah tells us that 'the servants of the All-Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility and who, when the ignorant address them, say ‘peace!’' (25:63)

A post shared by 🎨 (@mvzlamic) on Jan 4, 2018 at 1:21am PST

Stay strong ladies 😩💔 _ ('deen' = 'religion' / 'dunya' = 'worldly life')

A post shared by 🎨 (@mvzlamic) on Oct 19, 2017 at 4:01pm PDT

Speaking Islam on the Tube ('Allahu akbar' = 'God is great') _ 'Allahu akbar' is generally used by Muslims as a positive expression of gratitude towards God. Can you guys think of any other Arabic words or phrases that you believe are misunderstood in the West? Comment your thoughts below 💭

A post shared by 🎨 (@mvzlamic) on Oct 14, 2017 at 8:09pm PDT

This post was inspired by the ignorant premise of Channel 4's new documentary: My Week as a Muslim. It features a white British woman who physically disguises herself in order to experience life as a British Muslim. Her skin is darkened using makeup, and she is made to wear a hijab in order to 'look like a Pakistani Muslim'. _ As Dr Craig Considine puts it: 'Channel 4 has not only missed the mark, but they have carelessly racialized both Islam and [the] "Muslim identity." The documentary suggests 1) that being white and Muslim are exclusive, 2) that being Muslim has racial attributes, 3) that there is a uniform way of "being Muslim"; and 4) that there is a "visible archetype" of Muslims in the U.K. and beyond.' _ I've tagged all the sisters to whom I looked for stylistic inspo (I forgot to tag @ainazafirahh in the bottom left). Thanks for being such great muses! #RealMuslimWomen #MyWeekAsAMuslim

A post shared by 🎨 (@mvzlamic) on Oct 22, 2017 at 3:38pm PDT

We’re shouting out Mvzlamic because of its ability to artfully tread the line between daily fluff and deeper issues, a trick that allows it to dispel – and send up –  a lot of misconceptions about Muslim life in the UK.

Don’t forget to give it a follow on Instagram.

• British Muslim
• confronting racism
• Mvzlamic