I'm A Muslim (And That's Okay!)
By Shehla
A speak easy where I will talk about almost everything in life from the perspective of a Muslim in the U.S.
I'm A Muslim (And That's Okay!)Dec 31, 2020
Year End Roundup with Ami!
Even if I can't be with her, I'm still gonna rant and rave with my friend Ami about what a dumpster fire the year 2020 has been! So join me and Ami, for some venting and some laughs about the year we would all love to forget!
PSA Episode: The Pandemic Isn't Over (But There Is Hope!)
It's the holiday season but we can't afford to be careless now. The vaccine for COVID 19 is just beyond the horizon, we just have to be careful for a little while longer!
(Special Segment) The Whole Muslim: Zaakirah Nayyar
In this special interview segment I call, "The Whole Muslim", I interview professional photographer, published author and Retinoblastoma cancer survivor, Zaakirah Muhammad. We talk about how despite losing her right eye and hearing in both ears because of her cancer, she has always lived her best life and established herself as a African American Muslim woman in the field of photography and continues to branch out professionally. You can find Zaakirah on social media on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/illuminousone/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/illuminousone/). Her professional and podcast website is: http://zaakirahnayyar.com/
You can also watch this interview on YouTube (close captioning available) by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/QpEXjjTIP14
You Voted And America Won!
A Cliffhanger of an election! But with the victory of President Elect, Joe Biden and the first female Vice President in American history, Kamala Harris, at least SOMETHING good came from 2020!
It's Halloween (Time For Some Spooks!)
Ghost, Ghouls and Jinns! Oh, My! I love me a good ghost story and in today's episode I share a few I've heard when I was growing up in Pakistan. But remember, no ghostly tale could be scarier than having actual demons in power! So come, November 3rd, go out and VOTE!
The following link has the full story to the legend of the Fairy at Lake Saiful- Muluk: https://dailytimes-com-pk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/dailytimes.com.pk/87662/saif-ul-malook-the-lake-of-fairies/amp/?usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA%3D&_js_v=0.1#aoh=16036708089118&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fdailytimes.com.pk%2F87662%2Fsaif-ul-malook-the-lake-of-fairies%2F
(Special Segment) Some Of The Most Interesting Women I Know: Tina Cooke
In the last episode of "Some Of The Most Interesting Women I Know" I interview a longtime mom-friend and Technical Consultant for a Federal firm, Tina Cooke! And we talk about everything from raising three daughters to being one of the very few women in the I.T. field and she doles out some great advice for both!
Tina also had a non-sleeper like me and she had great success with sleep consultation through weesleep.ca, for any of my listeners who may have a non-sleeper. Because the struggle is REAL!
(Special Segment) Some Of The Most Interesting Women I Know: Marria Khan!
In this week's interview, I introduce you all to a woman close to my nerdy heart, Marria Khan. She and I take a trip down memory lane and we discuss everything from growing up and finding it hard to find illustration mentors and Anime'! To how now she has become a mentor for other budding illustrators and digital artists in Pakistan!
You can check out Marria's work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marri.art/ , Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marriakhan.art and Behance: https://www.behance.net/marria
(Special Segment) Some Of The Most Interesting Women I Know: Natalie Quli
What do you get when you put a Muslim and a Buddhist on a podcast? A whole lot of conversation about why we need to stop relying on "Karma"!
This week I interview my dear friend, Natalie Quli, an academic scholar on Buddhism (who is also a practicing Buddhist), and we had a whopping good time getting into the nitty-gritty about the Faith and why everybody just needs to stop stealing terms from it!
(Special Segment) Some Of The Most Interesting Women I Know: Sabaa Afzal
This week I interview Happiness Co. counselor, Sabaa Afzal! I was taken by surprise the first I had encountered her on Instagram, because this old goat came from a generation that didn't believe in "dealing with feelings"!
Join me as I delve deeper into the wonderful work Sabaa does for individuals, families and couples from all walks of life!
To get in touch with Sabaa, you can reach out to her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/happiness.co.counseling/?hl=en), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HappinessCoCounseling) or via her website (happinesscobysabaa.com)
(Special Segment) Some Of The Most Interesting Women I Know: Becky Kallen
This week it is Becky Kallen! This gorgeous lady is the original 'Becky with the good hair!' and I am pretty sure I would have lost my sanity long ago if it wasn't for her!
Apart from saving the sanity of mums like me (with INCREDIBLY fussy babies!), Becky also does amazing work in her local public school as a part of the non-profit organization, Communities in Schools (https://www.communitiesinschools.org/ and www.ciswayneco.org/ for Wayne County schools, Indiana).
So, sit back and enjoy our candid conversation about how we met, how our babies drove us to the brink and 10 years later, they still can't sleep through the night!
I'm On Season Two! (And That's Okay! ;D)
Wooooooooo! What a Ride! After season 1, you guys are still with me for season 2! I'm so humbled and grateful!
In Season 2 I'll have a whole segment of interviews with some of the wonderful women in my life, and as always the wonderful banter of this crazy, Muslim lady to help brighten up your day!
Hope you enjoy the new season and stay safe during the pandemic!
P.S. You need a cute mask to stay safe? I gotta friend who makes a boat load of them! Go visit her shop One Plus Six !! (You can copy paste this in your browser, in case the link doesn't work: https://www.etsy.com/shop/oneplussix?fbclid=IwAR3Xk3djJeScc6UdTyPumSZ5VSeDRgxtSujLCGD8ZJzuOl1uaVKXZ9Sfb9U)
End Of Ramadan (End Of A Season!)
It's Ramadan: Time To Pray (If The Kids and Cats Will Let Us!)
It's Ramadan! (Time to Contemplate!)
It's Ramadan! (Bring On The Food!)
It's Ramadan! (Time To Breakup With Food!)
Special Episode: Ask A Muslim! (Part Two)
Special Episode: Ask A Muslim! (Part One!)
I had all my friends gather around the Facebook campfire and ask me all sorts of questions! In this two part special segment I call, "Ask a Muslim!", I'll attempt to answer as best as I can.
**DISCLAIMER** I'm NOT a Islamic authority on ANYTHING (I know it's sad '-_-), so most of my answers are based on my opinions and experiences, interspersed with whatever knowledge I have of Islam.
Although, question number 5 in this episode forced me to dig deep to into Islamic articles to find a more educated answer than the one I would have been able to provide. My friend Maria had asked how I felt about the verses of the Quran that spoke about causing harm to non-believers. I gave my opinion in the episode, but below is the link to my reference page in my newly created website (still under construction) for my podcast:
https://sfaizi.wixsite.com/iamato/blog
The screenshots in this link, and the Yaqeen Institute article they are taken from (also linked in this page, but it is rather long), clearly define the premise of the verses that Maria was asking about.
PSA Episode: Look Around You (Someone Definitely Needs Help!)
Social Isolation: Check On A Muslim (We're NOT Doing Okay!)
Quarantine and Card Games (So That We Don't Completely Lose Our Minds!)
I Could Tell You About Myself (But It's Complicated) Pt. 2
PSA: COVID 19 (It's Not Just About You Anymore)
I Could Tell You Where I'm From (But It's Complicated) (Pt 1)
Be Nice (And Go Vote!)
It's Friday! (And not a moment too soon!)