News Brief
Antoinette Isama
Sep. 01, 2017 04:53PM EST

Here Are Stunning Images From the 2017 Eid al-Adha Edition of #BlackOutEid

It's one of our favorite times of the year.

Eid Mubarak to our Muslim fam!

Today marks the official end of Eid al-Adha, a Muslim holy day held yearly during Hajj, the five-day pilgrimage to Mecca.

Also known as "The Feast of Sacrifice," it's one of the two major holidays where Muslims around the world congregate to give thanks and celebrate.

"We're honoring when Abraham was told to sacrifice his son and God allowed him to sacrifice a sheep instead," says Aamina Mohamed, the creator of the hashtag, #BlackOutEid.

Mohamed started #BlackOutEid three years ago to highlight diversity within the Muslim community though the lens of young black Muslims as they celebrate the holy holiday.

The hashtag has already made an impact in the digital space and Mohamed is moved by that.

"I'm actually pretty amazed at the continued self-sustaining support," she says. "I think of it a lot like, 'Wow, this is going to be amazing to look back on in 15 to 20 years. It's like a in real-time archival experience."

Take a look at the 2017 Eid al-Adha capsule of #BlackOutEid below:

#BlackOutEid
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(Photo by Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images)

Blitz the Ambassador Named 2020 Guggenheim Fellow

The Ghanaian artist and filmmaker is among 175 "individuals who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts."

Ghanaian filmmaker Blitz Bazawule, also known as Blitz the Ambassador has been named a 2020 Guggenheim fellow.

The musician, artist and director behind he critically acclaimed film The Burial of Kojo, announced the news via social media on Thursday, writing: "Super excited to announce I've been awarded the Guggenheim 2020 Fellowship. Truly grateful and inspired."

He is among 175 scholars, "appointed on the basis of prior achievement and exceptional promise, the successful candidates were chosen from a group of almost 3,000 applicants in the Foundation's ninety-sixth competition," says the Guggenheim.

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South African Actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja Has Passed Away

Tributes are pouring in for the beloved actor who starred in the popular South African television drama 'Skeem Saam'.

South African actor and former radio broadcaster, Charles Maja, has passed away according to reports by TimesLIVE. Affectionately known as "Big Boy", the name of the character he played on the popular local drama series Skeem Saam, the actor reportedly suffered a fatal stroke earlier this morning while in the northern province of Limpopo. He was just 54.

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Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.

6 South African Podcasts to Listen to During the Lockdown

Here are six South African podcasts worth listening to.

South Africa has been on lockdown for almost two weeks as a measure to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and it looks like the period might just get extended. If you are one of those whose work can't be done from home, then you must have a lot of time in your hands. Below, we recommend six South African podcasts you can occupy yourself with and get empowered, entertained and informed.


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Photo courtesy of BLK JKS.

7 South African Punk Bands You Should Check Out

Here are some South African punk bands—old and new—that you should be listening to.

For many years, the punk scene in South Africa has been thriving through a hands-on DIY attitude in which bands can foster their own homegrown audience without relying on mainstream culture. Music festivals like Soweto Rock Revolution have played a big part in it. Bands like National Wake showed the way and TCIYF are following that path and making punk more relevant than ever in the country.

Here are seven South African punk bands you should check out.

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