Oral History Interview with Taqwa Hasan on March 6, 2021
Oral history interview with Taqwa Hasan conducted by Ayesha Cook on March 6, 2020. Interview written by Dr. Alisa Perkins (Research Director) and Ayesha Cook. Taqwa Hasan was born on November 29, 1980 in Inkster, Michigan, to parents born in New York and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Both of Hasan's parents are important leaders in the Muslim community. Hasan's mother, Nafeesa Mahdi, served for many years as a principal at Al-Ikhlas Training Academy, and her father, Rafiq Mahdi, contributed to many local initiatives. Hasan moved to Detroit with her family while attending high school at Al-Ikhlas Training Academy. She grew up attending various mosques including one in Inkster mosque Historic Masjid Wali Muhammad. In the interview, Hasan reflects upon Al-Ikhlas Training Academy's role in her development, detailing her appreciation for the family environment it provided, along with the opportunity to study the Arabic language, pursue Islamic studies, and be surrounded by a moral community. After graduating high school, Hasan studied fashion merchandising at Wayne State University. This helped her start her own handcrafted accessories business called the Black Box Collection. Carrying on her parents' legacy of community-building, Hasan founded and leads the Raja Group, which provides Muslim girls and young women a space for learning, mentorship, and discussion. In partnership with her sisters, Hasan also founded the Social Loft, a unique women's co-working space located in Hamtramck, Michigan. Additionally, Hasan and her family created the Nisar Award to honor individuals who have had a significant impact on the community. In the interview, Hasan discusses the importance of community-building in her own life and her family's life, and especially the need to promote Muslim women's sisterhood and cooperation across the generations.
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