Starting this weekend, a new series on PBS dives into the early history of Muslims in the U.S.

looking at notable figures, communities, and spanning more than 200 years uncovering stories

that few people have heard.

There's never been in America without Muslims.

I'm one of three journalists following the trail.

Each of us exploring a defining moment in American history.

Tracing a legacy that's coming back into view.

That's Jefferson's initial.

There was one of the founding fathers imagining Muslim Americans.

A completely new nation that included more than just Christians.

It's a six-part documentary called American Muslims, a history revealed.

It launches this weekend on PBS stations across the country and on the PBS app.

Asma Khalid of the BBC is one of three hosts exploring all of this and joins us now.

Great to see you.

Great to see you. Thanks for having me.

So what's the story that you're aiming to tell with this documentary series and why does it matter right now?

So, Jeff, I've been a long time political reporter. I covered a lot of campaigns and I will say that there's long been an active debate in our country

about who gets to be an American. And I think that those conversations and that debate has

become even more ripe now is we're inching closer to our nation's 250th birthday debates over

who is an American, what it means to be an American, and whose story is told. And I think what's really

interesting about this series and what attracted me to being a part of it is ultimately that

the story is a lot more complex. It's a lot more nuanced. And I think that that's what people

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