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

You might think that a henna studio and a comedy stage can't ever come together, but my guest this week, Marena Riyad, would prove you wrong! I talk to Marena, who founded the Haus of Henna AND Kufiya Comedy right here in the DFW Metro area and we discuss how she came into such unusual professions to begin. I explore her passion for bringing to the forefront her Palestinian heritage through the art of story-telling and comedy AND how that has translated to her holding a multicultural Kufiya Comedy Festival this year, coinciding with world Kufiya Day! You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/vWkoaXXiRMg To find out more about the Kufiya Comedy and the Kufiya Comedy Festival you can use the following links: Website: https://www.kufiyacomedytx.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kufiyacomedy/ You can also use my code "PEACE" to get an extra 10% discount on the tickets! (limited time only) You can also find the Haus of Henna on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thehausofhenna/ Support the Show. Please 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 world is topsy turvy and we gotta do what we can to make it right! That's why as a part of my 4 year and 100 episodes celebration, I will be creating a video series called "100 Good Things", in an effort to bring a sense of hope to the ongoing effort to bring collective liberation to all those who are oppressed. Find details of that in this episode and as always you can watch this episode on YouTube as well: https://youtu.be/NtWuQrH77aY And to watch this series of videos please follow me on Instagram and YouTube (links below!) Support the Show. Please 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 Gift of the Gab, I discuss collective liberation with my guest, Tai, a Sudanese-Canadian activist, writer and the founder of, The Red Ma'at Collective. She opens up about how her past as an asylum seeker really shaped her journey to heal her trauma through the practice of yoga. And how that led her to create circles of healing and collective liberation for other people. We talk about the importance of collective liberation and how it is the means of freeing people globally from the systems of oppression and exploitation You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/QTDvGM5Zhpg You can use the links below to find out more about Tai and The Red Ma'at Collective : Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/red_maat/ https://www.instagram.com/redmaat_collective/ https://www.instagram.com/redmaat_healing/ Website https://www.theredmaatcollective.org/ Support the Show. Please 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

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/SEVXVGnWhvo To 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 Show. Please 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/AXalw0X7jfM To follow Leila Hegazy on social media you can use the following handles: Instagram: @leilahegazy TikTok: @leila.hegazy She is also in a band with her twin sister and you can find them on social media with handle @hegazyband Support the Show. Please 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/O7rZID3dNA8 You can find Sarah on Instagram and TikTok with the handle @InstructorSarah Support the Show. Please 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: UNRWA Bait-ul-Maal This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/P4g3laILbaU Support the Show. Please 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 assault In 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 awareness about the atrocities in Palestine. And how her novel "makeup tutorials" are a clever workaround to the slew of social media bans around the subject. You can also view this episode on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/g0ZSmmWCn2k Find Clarke's blog and social media handles below: Blog: https://bestierebellion.com/ TikTok and Instagram: @clarkeunleashed Support the Show. Please 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 is actually trained in civil protest protocols! And at this time when protesting for the rights of the people of Palestine is 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.com Support the Show. Please 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-congo My 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/kRgF72oOMwM Support the Show. Please 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/jO1eqxj6MVU You can also follow Dr. Rose Aslan through these links: https://compassionflow.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dr.rose.aslan/ https://www.facebook.com/rsaslan Support the Show. Please 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=1 You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/Zw25fyWbDqU Support the Show. Please 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 ideation It'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 rates in 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/SZ01E2bin1g If you are Muslim and wish to help Amelia's research you can fill out her survey here: www.tinyurl.com/muslimcommunitystudy And you can also follow Amelia on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/muslim.suicide.researcher/ Support the Show. Please 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/WPSQJ6P3hac Support the Show. Please 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/PWUalru1xC4 To 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: 988 They 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 Show. Please 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_xZFfmG7qU You can find out more about Dr. Lodhi through the following links: The Muslim Sex Podcast: https://drsadaf.com/podcast Website: https://drsadaf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsadafobgyn/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsadafobgyn Support the Show. Please 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/sjHiFLt6MUo To 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=8-1 Support the Show. Please 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/FOBAz2pCaDc You 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 Show. Please 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_1ZW4 You 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=fulltext Support the Show. Please 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-RP5q8 You 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.akhras Proceeds 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 Show. Please 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