Rami Nushashi-B uses graffiti, calligraphy, and hip-hop in his work as a healing force

on the south side of Chicago.

A Palestinian American, he started his activism with at-risk urban Muslim families, especially

youth, while he was still a college student.

Now he's the leader of a globally emulated project converging religious virtues, the

arts, and social action.

And he is a fascinating face of a Muslim American dream, flourishing against the odds in

a post-9-11 America.

I spoke not too far from here, I think, in a university a couple years ago, and often

in my Q&A, and maybe even in this conversation, I really beg, and even my students, to be

very honest and very politically incorrect if that's what they're thinking.

And I had one woman who, you know, God bless her soul, who took me up on that.

After 35 minutes of this, you know, talk about human rights and Muslims, and she got

up and said, everything you said sounds so beautiful, but I just honestly want to say,

I don't believe you.

Here what happened next, and what Rami Nushashi-Bi has to teach about ethical confusions and spiritual

anxiety many of us share.

How to apply our highest virtues in a world of disparity?

I'm Krista Tippett, and this is on being.

I spoke with Rami Nushashi-Bi in the Hall of Philosophy, Outdoors, at the summer 2012

season of the Shitako institution in New York.

I first met Rami Nushashi-Bi, not in person, but his voice coming into my head through

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