Public Media from Michigan State University

Hamtramck, USA | America ReFramed

Razi Jafri and Justin Feltman

Tue. Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. on WKAR WORLD 23.2 & STREAMING | Explore life and democracy in America's first Muslim-majority city.

Hamtramck, Michigan was established by German immigrants and thrived in the 20th century with an influx of Polish Catholic arrivees drawn to the industrial boom of America. In recent years, Bangladeshi and Yemeni Muslim immigrants have revitalized Hamtramck, making it the first Muslim-majority city in the United States.

The film follows Fadel al-Marsoumi, a young Iraqi immigrant and first-time candidate for city council, and Karen Majewski, Hamtramck’s first female mayor in the city’s 100-year lineage of Polish mayors. As election day approaches, candidates face various challenges and opportunities within the city’s numerous communities and work to build coalitions across religious and ethnic lines

Going behind the scenes of small-town politics, Hamtramck, USA explores the beauty and challenges that come with multiculturalism.

MORE ABOUT AMERICA REFRAMED:
America ReFramed brings to life compelling stories, personal voices and experiences that illuminate the contours of our ever-changing country. Since 2012, the series has premiered 170 films - more than half helmed by female makers and a third credited to BIPOC makers - centering stories of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, the formerly incarcerated, veterans, immigrants and more.

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