2022 MEDIA AWARDS HONOREE | ACTOR/ACTIVIST
ABOUT THE ACTOR
The Blacklist star Hisham Tawfiq’s journey to acting was anything but typical. Ahead of his thriving career, Hisham was a former platoon leader in the Marine Corps and served 20 years as a New York City firefighter, including working as a first responder on 9/11.
Today, Hisham plays the role of African Muslim bodygaurd Dembe Zuma on the Emmy Award winning show. In his longest and most widely known role as Dembe, Hisham felt a great responsibility to dispel misconceptions of Islam and Muslims on-screen. As his character on the show has evolved, Hisham has worked with the show’s creators to ensure that Dembe is portrayed both accurately and positively. The show’s creators welcomed Hisham’s input on Dembe’s character traits and background.
While Hisham believes the media is largely responsible for the demonization of Muslims in the U.S., he also believes it can be utilized to refute and rectify misleading narratives that have been depicted about Muslims and continue to be shown today.
In addition to his dedication to public service and passion for acting, Hisham is a proud Muslim who has selflessly used his platform to shatter negative perceptions of Muslims and advocate on behalf of the community. Hisham’s late father had a major impact on his life and inspired the pride he has in his faith. He was raised as a Muslim by his father, who was an Imam in his neighborhood and an avid Malcom X supporter. Hisham currently serves as chairperson for The Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood Inc, which is considered one of America’s oldest Sunni Muslim masjids.
Although Hisham explored various career paths, acting has always been his main passion. When he decided to pursue acting full time, the culmination of all his lived experiences gave his characters validity and originality that took them to new depths.
FROM FIRST RESPONDER TO INFLUENTIAL ACTOR
Presenting the Award
“(It) made it even more of a dream come true to be able to show this Muslim character, this African-American character who even though was a criminal in some sorts still had this moral compass and allegiance to Islam, which was one of the reasons he is this upstanding, righteous and loyal and trustworthy guy.”
