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I'm A Muslim (And That's Okay!)
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I'm A Muslim (And That's Okay!)

Author: Shehla

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It's easy to be afraid of the Muslim around the corner, but let me tell ya', we're just here for the food!A speak easy where I will talk about almost everything in life from the perspective of a Muslim in the U.S. 
93 Episodes
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When life presents to you your favorite Muslim children's story-book author, you gotta interview him!In this episode I interview the renowned creator of the "Ilyas and Duck" children's story books, Omar Khawaja and it was an absolute pleasure being able to find out how this dynamic boy and duck duo came into being, and why it has such great appeal amongst kids!We go into the reason behind the creation of Ilyas and Duck and how it has grown into a complete Ilyas and Duck universe, through online webtoons and in-person shows! And with a new book just released, this well-loved series of children's stories is here to stay!You can also watch this interview on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/SEVXVGnWhvoTo find out more about Ilyas and Duck books and where to buy them from you can check out the book website: https://www.littlebigkids.com/And you can also follow them on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ilyasandduck/Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
The very first Gift of the Gab  of the season and I could not be more honored than to have my first guest on, singer-songwriter, Leila Hegazy!Her protest cover-versions of popular songs are a hit, and a ray of light in a social-media scape that still seems to be denying what is happening in Palestine. We deep dive into how she got into creating these thought-provoking covers, the process and the reaction to them from her audience.You can also watch this episode on my YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/AXalw0X7jfMTo follow Leila Hegazy on social media you can use the following handles:Instagram: @leilahegazyTikTok: @leila.hegazyShe is also in a band with her twin sister and you can find them on social media with handle @hegazybandSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
Opening this season with a bang with a guest I've been wanting have on for FOREVER!In the very first episode of 'The Whole Muslim' for this season, I feature, Sarah Albassri or "Instructor Sarah" as she is known on social media.Sarah is a 3rd year Ph.D student, but her claim to fame online is for being a Tae Kwando instructor, who got famous showing off all her amazing moves while being VERY pregnant!But life hasn't always been smooth sailing for Sarah and we delve deep into how she was forced to immigrate to the U.S. in 2013 because of war breaking out in Syria. It was a tough adjustment for Sarah but lucky for her (and us!) that she found community within a Tae Kwando dojo and the rest is history!You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/O7rZID3dNA8You can find Sarah on Instagram and TikTok with the handle  @InstructorSarah  Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
Your favorite podcaster is BACK! And I am 4 years and 9 seasons in (please, don't ask me the math, I'm just making this up as I go :D)But I have been in a bit of an emotional rut, I had really looked forward to celebrating my 4 years and upcoming 100 episode. But with how the situation is in Palestine, I cannot bring myself to do so...So, for now I will just be bringing you more episodes, more interviews and more perspectives as usual. And maybe if the situation changes, I might do a giveaway.But until then, if you are an ardent listener of mine and understand how dire the situation is in Palestine, please pressure your representatives for a ceasefire and the allowance of aid to the people of Palestine.You can also donate to the following organizations that are working tirelessly to help the people in Palestine and the Gaza Strip:UNRWABait-ul-MaalThis Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/P4g3laILbaUSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
***TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode discusses sexual assaultIn this episode, I talk to content creator and a recent convert to Islam, Clarke Jones.We trace her tumultuous Faith journey, and how she came to Islam, a few short weeks after October 7th, and the beginning of the relentless Israeli aggression against Palestinians. How that inspired her to be a content creators, and raise awarenessabout the atrocities in Palestine. And how her novel "makeup tutorials" are a clever workaround to the slew ofsocial media bans around the subject.You can also view this episode on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/g0ZSmmWCn2kFind Clarke's blog and social media handles below:Blog: https://bestierebellion.com/TikTok and Instagram: @clarkeunleashed Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
In this episode, I talk to fellow podcaster from the 'Mommying While Muslim' podcast,Dr. Uzma Jafri.Not only is she a Physician and co-hosts an award-winning podcast, but she isactually trained in civil protest protocols!And at this time when protesting for the rights of the people of Palestineis so important, she gives important pointers on how to do it safely!The Mommying While Muslim podcast is also dedicating their December series to highlight the situation in Palestine, so don't forget to follow them on all major platforms!You can also watch this episode on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/kpSVpixhj8I Follow this link to find Mommying While Muslim podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mommyingwhilemuslimpodcast/You can also get in touch with them via email at: salam@mommyingwhilemuslim.comSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
Having social media presence under any capacity does create its share of issues. But I never expected blatant censorship and shadow-banning would be one of them. Social media is not exactly the friendliest place for socially aware Muslims and those POC who refuse to stay silent on social justice issues.In this episode I highlight some of the hurdles I have personally faced when trying to raise awareness about the plight of the Palestinian people, and I'm just a small time creator! I can only imagine how hard it must be for larger influencers who are putting everything on the line to be on the right side of history!Below are some of the links for some of the things I have discussed in the episode:Man sets himself on fire to bring attention to the genocide in Congo: https://themessenger.com/news/man-sets-himself-on-fire-while-holding-sign-stop-the-genocide-in-congoMy protest song (cover of "Zombie" by the Cranberries): https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy9Qnc-NO20/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==My metrics comparison video, and how suppression and shadow-banning affects content creators: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzB9zVvtl-7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/kRgF72oOMwMSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
In this episode I talk to, Dr. Rose Aslan, a certified Transformational Life Coach, and we talk about her time in the academic and public sphere, when she and other public Muslims became the "face" of an entire community. Especially after 9/11 and the Trump administration.How that crippling pressure of representing and collectively defending Muslims can take a toll, especially when media rhetoric is less than favorable towards Muslims.You can watch this episode on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/jO1eqxj6MVUYou can also follow Dr. Rose Aslan through these links:https://compassionflow.com/https://www.instagram.com/dr.rose.aslan/https://www.facebook.com/rsaslanSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, this year will have no Halloween episode. Because we can all see that the horrors that humanity wreaks on itself are far more horrendous than any spooky story I could possibly find.This episode is my monologue on the genocide that is going on on the Palestinian people. The oppression and killings are happening with blatant cruelty and our taxpayer dollars are funding it!A ceasefire has to happen and it has to happen now! Call your Representative and call President Biden to demand a ceasefire and additional aid passage for the people of Gaza.Below are links to contact your Representative and demand action, petitions you can sign to make your voice heard and accounts you can follow that will help you give a more balanced perspective about what is happening in Palestine:https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/take-action/#act-nowhttps://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/resource/email-congress-to-stop-fueling-violence/https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1UPPbp0d9QlRn1wvQ91YJQHLfd22WSp1d9b6dO4i0RmI/mobilebasichttps://docs.google.com/document/d/119OD9wiAUtPPBpetZN_P7jjcHMHiR6ZJcWqOahS71Lo/mobilebasic?pli=1You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/Zw25fyWbDqUSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
*Trigger Warning* Episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideationIt's another heavy one folks! But I am hoping that this one helps shed some light on how difficult it can be to get suicide research data, especially in underrepresented communities.In this episode I talk to, Amelia Noor Oshiro, the Muslim suicide researcher, who has dedicated her PhD study to researching the potential causes of suicide within Muslim communities.We discuss the various factors that are known to impact suicide ratesin immigrant and marginalized communities and how her research could help provide help to those that are under-represented in suicide research.You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/SZ01E2bin1gIf you are Muslim and wish to help Amelia's research you can fill out her survey here:  www.tinyurl.com/muslimcommunitystudyAnd you can also follow Amelia on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/muslim.suicide.researcher/Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
What does a podcast host do when they hit a creative block? They ask their audience of course!Y'all I'm fast approaching 100 episodes and 4 years and I'm not sure how to carry on bringing y'all the best that I can! So, please help me out! If you have ideas or subjects you want me to cover, people you'd love me to interview, PLEASE tell me! Send me an email at : shehla.faizi01@gmail.com . Or just send me a DM on my socials (links below!).But, I need y'all's help BAD, because I am stuck!You can watch this episode on my YouTube channel too: https://youtu.be/WPSQJ6P3hacSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
*TRIGGER WARNING* - Discussion of Substance Abuse and Suicide.This is a difficult discussion to have but an important one. No one wants to believe that themself or their children could be in a position where their vulnerability gets the best of them and they could end up in the depths of substance abuse and suicidal ideation.But that is exactly what happened to my guest, motivational speaker, Belal Elkadri, and I am so grateful he sat down with me to have this frank discussion on this important topic. He gives insight into what often leads people, especially children, down these paths and how we as parents and the community can do more to be sources of support and help.You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PWUalru1xC4To get in touch with Belal or to find out more about the topics he speaks on you can use the following links to his website and social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbrotherbelal/Website: https://belalelkadri.com/Please, if you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide call the Suicide hotline at: 988They can and will help you! You can find more helpful resources at their website: https://988lifeline.org/Or if you are just having a hard time and cannot reach your counselor or cannot afford one there are warmlines you can call. You can find the number in your state here: https://warmline.org/Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
How do you get people to become more sex-positive? You pivot your medical career and train to become an intimacy coach and at the same time start a podcast to get more people aware about their sexual wellness! And that is exactly what Dr. Sadaf Lodhi did! In this episode we have a wonderful conversation about how she discovered the lack of knowledge even within medical professionals about sexual fulfillment led her to become an intimacy coach to shatter the taboos around sex that hinder a lot of people from getting the most from their sex lives.You can also watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/A_xZFfmG7qUYou can find out more about Dr. Lodhi through the following links: The Muslim Sex Podcast: https://drsadaf.com/podcastWebsite: https://drsadaf.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsadafobgyn/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsadafobgyn Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
Information and access to reproductive health is essential for all women but there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all . That is where HEART to Grow comes in, which provides reproductive health information and workshops specifically catered to Muslims of all different backgrounds.I had the good fortune of interviewing Kiran Waqar, the Social Media and Youth Engagement Coordinator at HEART, and we talked about the need that led to the formation of the organization and how it helps create access to reproductive health for Muslim women through community driven needs.You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/sjHiFLt6MUoTo find out more about what HEART does through it's social media handle @hearttogrow, and on its website: https://hearttogrow.org/You can also find their Sex Talk book on Amazon over here: https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Talk-Muslims-Healthy-Relationships/dp/0578377446/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Z1C722OJP0D6&keywords=the+sex+talk+a+muslims+guide&qid=1692318123&sprefix=the+sex+talk%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
Season 8 is here!! And because I have been in an extra mood all Summer, I decided to start it with a bang with not one, but TWO guests!This episode of "The Whole Muslim" segment features returning guest, Professor Rudolph "B-Ware" and his partner in rhyme, Chime "Chizabam" Umesi and we dive in on how they came together to form the rap/hip-hop duo, Slum Prophecy. We explore its beginnings and how B-Ware and Chizabam strive to create music through it that transcends conventional hip-hop to bring in a sound that is mature and is also spiritually driven!You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/FOBAz2pCaDcYou can download Slum Prophecy's current album here: https://the-ink-of-the-scholars.myshopify.com/products/slum-prophecy-vol-iv-whips-chains Follow Slum Prophecy, Chizabam and B-Ware on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/slumprophecy/ https://www.instagram.com/chizabam/https://www.instagram.com/butchware/Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
It is the last episode of the season and what better way to end a season than with a bang!I had the great pleasure of interviewing Historian and Academic, Professor Rudolph Ware and I got to do what I love to do the most: tackle difficult subjects!And for this episode we discussed colonization and its impacts on BIPOC communities in the U.S. and globally, specifically how colonization affects how we see ourselves in the context of the bigger picture. Professor Ware breaks down how colonization created racial and social hierarchies around the world and how we are  seeing the affects of it even now.This episode is absolutely essential for all those who want to start their journey of decolonization and standing in their own power as members of BIPOC communities!You can also view this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/mbalV4_1ZW4You can follow Professor Ware on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/butchware/You can find his books, "The Walking Quran" and "Jihad of the Pen" through these links: https://uncpress.org/book/9781469614311/the-walking-quran/https://academic.oup.com/jis/article-abstract/32/3/436/6304990?redirectedFrom=fulltextSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
War is Hell, but we often only see it as a conflict of grown ups and overlook how it impacts the children caught in the middle of it.For this segment of "Gift of the Gab" I interview Dr. Nour Akhras, a pediatrician and who has been on a number of medical missions in war-torn areas. Her experiences there and how 9/11 impacted her being Muslim in America, inspired her to write her book, "Just One: A Journey of Perseverance and Conviction".We discuss her experiences working within the areas of conflict and what are the impacts of war and displacement on children?You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/0kuy3-RP5q8You can find out more about Dr. Akhras's work and her book through these links:https://nourakhras.com/https://www.instagram.com/nourakhrasmd/https://www.facebook.com/nour.akhrasProceeds from Dr. Akhras's book go to support MedGlobal that do incredible humanitarian work in areas of conflict. Please consider supporting them: https://medglobal.org/Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
May is 'Mental Health Awareness' and there could be no better time for me to have a discussion with, Allissa Torres, the Director of Mental Health Equity at the non-profit organization, Mental Health America (MHA)!We talk about the stigma around mental health in BIPOC communities and the need to overcome taboos through education and resources. MHA provides a number of educational resources and tools, including free diagnostic tests, guidance toolkits and resources specifically for people of color!You can watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/WKKu7BM0Q9sTo find out more about the MHA organization click on the following links:MHA Website: https://mhanational.org/Mental Health Screening Tests: www.mhascreening.orgMHA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthamerica/Support the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
I welcome my guest, Saira Sufi, to take a deep dive into the discussion of how one of her twin son's diagnoses of a rare bone marrow disorder, Aplastic Anemia led her and her remaining son to become staunch advocates for bone marrow donations. Recruiting bone marrow donors of racial minorities is important, because finding bone marrow matches for minorities and mixed race individuals is especially hard. This is why Saira works hard to raise awareness and to recruit as many people to be bone marrow donors as possible.This episode is a testament to the fortitude of a family in memory of a very special young boy.To find out more about being a bone marrow donor please visit the following website and consider being a donor yourself. It is a chance to truly change someone's life!https://bethematch.orghttps://www.aamds.org/www.teamwatience.orgYou can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/xgImkpUhWJgSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
Happy Eid to my Muslim listeners and to EEEEVVERYONE! Even though Ramadan is over but with my kids fasting this time I learned some new lessons from the month and by the end of it we will be celebrating Eid!This episode is just a few reflections from Ramadan that sort of came up for me and how Muslims in the U.S. are trying to make Eid extra special for their kids.You can also watch the episode on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/pJvitSrLthkSupport the showPlease don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast
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