Why We Document

dmvdocs is a local documentation project focused on stories, images, and reflections that center on the lives, struggles, and voices of Muslims in the DC–Maryland–Virginia region — one of the most historically layered and diverse Muslim communities in the United States.

Our mission is simple: to document what often goes unrecorded. From early immigrant generations to refugee youth, community events, and everyday life, dmvdocs preserves stories that deserve more than a passing mention.

The Gap

Mainstream media doesn’t always get it right. Too often, our communities are overlooked, generalized, or only seen through moments of crisis. At the same time, within our own circles, there aren’t always platforms dedicated to longform, grounded storytelling — the kind that values memory, context, and trust.

The Approach

This isn’t a political project. It’s not about branding or performance. It’s about documenting with care — whether that means photographing neighborhood traditions, recording oral histories, or exploring overlooked archives. The goal is to build something lasting: a growing collection of local knowledge that reflects the complexity of Muslim life in this region.

“Learning about your past is a privilege many immigrants don’t have. This is my way of making that knowledge possible for the next generation.”

dmvdocs is the work of Hasan Maharoof, a documentarian and photographer based in Baltimore. His work focuses on memory, identity, and the everyday stories that often get missed.