In January and February, students in the We See the World program at the HK Foundation Center focused their studies on human rights.

But this was no sterile classrrom experience. To bring the topic to life, Center facilitator Stephanie Jelley brought in a friend, filmmaker Qasim Basir. Basir was preparing for the release of his film "Mooz-lum" about a young Muslim man growing up in America. The main character is conflicted about his cultural identity and his religion. Part way through the film, the events of September 11, 2001 unfold and the protaganist's struggles are thrown into high relief. Watch the film trailer here.

According to Tom Kerns, founder of the HK Community Fund, even before Basir visited the Center to speak to the kids participating in the We See the World program, the group began a discussion about human rights abuses. "The points that were raised were poignant, thoughtful, thought provoking, insightful, naive, angry, sad, confused ... you name it."

When Basir arrived, he spoke with the teens about the joy and challenges of growing up as a Muslim in America, pre and post 9/11. "They were riveted," said Kerns. "Prior to Basir's arrival we spoke to the kids and encouraged them to ask honest and respectful questions, whether about his life experiences or about making Mooz-lum or filmmaking in general. Nothing was off the table, as long as they were respectful and honest." Kerns said the session turned out to be less Q&A and more of a back and forth discussion between Basir and the students. "The discussion was emotional at times. It was an awesome afternoon, not only for the kids, but for me as well. I wish it didn't have to end."

The students took a trip into Manhattan to see the film on February 12.

Stephanie Jelley's firm, Contour Marketing & Media, has done some social media to promote "Mooz-lum." The producer is a local filmmaker, Samad Davis of South Orange, said Jelley. "He and I have been very close for years."

Patch caught up with Basir after he spoke at The Center, as he busily prepared for the film's release on February 11. Basir, who grew up Muslim in the Ann Arbor and Detroit areas, said that the film is biographical in many aspects. "My parents converted in the 1960s," he said.

Basir said that what he is trying to do with the film is to "put a human face on Islam" in an effort to replace the demonized view that has become predominant since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. "It's not legitimate," said Basir. "It's the small minority of people doing horrible things."

"Hopefully when they see this character's journey, his familial issues, his worrying about the things everyone worries about, it will put a human face on Islam."

Although September 11 figures in the film, Basir said he wanted to "go back when this started," Basir said he didn't want to make a "9/11 film." When the events of September 11 transpire in the latter part of the film, Basir said the point is to show how the attack also affected Muslims in the U.S. in ways that are unexpected to those outside the faith. "Muslims were afraid as well, were affected as well. Muslims are afraid of terrorists too. "

"It's important to say, we're in this thing together."

The film is now playing in AMC Theaters in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C., Detroit, Houston, LA, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Locally, you can check listings for AMC Theaters in Manhattan.

"Mooz-lum" has already shown at film festivals in Chicago and Cairo — before the fall of Mubarak. "It was amazing," said Basir of the screening in Cairo. "I was concerned. They really loved the film. People in Egypt had no idea about this population of Muslims in America."