In this conversation, you can listen to me conversing with one of my favorite novelists, Leila Aboulela.

What's even more remarkable about Leila's work, apart from her delicious writing style that makes me wish her books and short stories never end, is that she intentionally brings Muslim characters, usually women, into her work as the protagonists.

Leila describes her work as centering Islam, giving Muslim readers a chance to see themselves in her work and for non-Muslim readers to get a glimpse into the fictionalized, nuanced, and non-stereotypical lives of Muslims.

Apart from discussing the spirituality of her novels and stories, I ask Leila to share more about herself and her spiritual journey. We hear more about what motivated her and how her life experiences inspired her writing, especially that of her Muslim women characters.

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to Leila's work, this episode promises an enriching and heartfelt conversation about the intersections of spirituality, creativity, and the power of storytelling.


Find Leila Aboulela online here:

*http://www.leila-aboulela.com

*https://www.instagram.com/leilaaboulela/

*https://www.facebook.com/laboulela/

Support the Show.

Find out more about Rose's work here: https://lnk.bio/dr.rose.aslan
Website: https://compassionflow.com

Support Rahma with Rose so I can keep producing more episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2197727/supporters/new

Music credits: Vocals: Zeynep Dilara Aslan; Ney/drum: Elif Önal; Tanbur: Katherine Hreib; Rebap: Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Medina Tenour Whiteman, a talented writer, poet, and singer, to chat about her fascinating life journey. We dive into how she uses spiritual practices like writing, singing, and meditation to navigate her identity and faith.

Medina shares the importance of stepping back from the hustle and bustle to gain perspective, exploring Sufi traditions and other calming practices like breathwork and meditation.

We also discuss her life in the stunning mountains of Andalusia, Southern Spain, and how its rich Muslim history and cultural significance add depth to her reflections on spirituality and creativity.

Find Medina online at these places:
-www.muslimwriterssalon.com
-www.medinatenourwhiteman.com
-medinatenourwhiteman.substack.com
-www.instagram.com/medinatenour

Support the Show.

Find out more about Rose's work here: https://lnk.bio/dr.rose.aslan
Website: https://compassionflow.com

Support Rahma with Rose so I can keep producing more episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2197727/supporters/new

Music credits: Vocals: Zeynep Dilara Aslan; Ney/drum: Elif Önal; Tanbur: Katherine Hreib; Rebap: Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev

This is an episode from the podcast Untethering Shame with Kyira Wackett, who invited me to appear on her show.

Here is her overview of the episode:

In this episode, Dr. Rose Aslan and I discuss shame, fear, and Islamophobia. We explore how these forces perpetuate systems of oppression and uphold patriarchal structures of power.

We also discuss the importance of recognizing the humanity of individuals and the need to untether ourselves from shame. Dr. Aslan shares her personal journey of activism and using her voice to bring awareness to social justice issues alongside her experiences as a Muslim woman in academia and the challenges she faced in navigating different worlds.

She highlights the power of social media in giving voice to marginalized communities and the privilege that often accompanies academic credentials. Dr. Aslan shares her journey of leaving academia and focusing on supporting women in creating change in their lives.

She emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding balance in order to make a meaningful impact. The conversation also touches on the need for authentic activism and the role of marketing in perpetuating stereotypes and Islamophobia.

Takeaways

Shame, fear, and Islamophobia are interconnected and perpetuate systems of oppression.

Recognizing the humanity of individuals is crucial in dismantling these systems.

Using our voices and platforms to bring awareness to social justice issues is important.

Untethering ourselves from shame is necessary for personal and collective liberation. Social media has given marginalized communities a powerful platform to share their experiences and challenge dominant narratives.

Academic credentials often come with privilege and can grant individuals access to mainstream media platforms, even if they lack direct experience or understanding of the communities they speak about.

Finding balance and practicing self-care is essential for sustaining activism and making a meaningful impact.

Authentic activism requires going beyond performative actions and engaging in deep reflection and understanding of the issues at hand.

Marketing plays a significant role in perpetuating stereotypes and Islamophobia, and it is important to challenge and dismantle these narratives.

Creating space for marginalized voices and supporting women in their journeys of self-discovery and empowerment can have a ripple effect in creating positive change.

00:00 - Introduction and Welcome

01:01 - Dr. Rose Aslan's Journey and Dedication to Empowerment

06:05 - Navigating the Challenges of Life

08:37 - The Ebb and Flow of Life

33:21 - The Power of Social Media and Amplifying Marginalized Voices

34:12 - Navigating Different Worlds: Challenges in Academia

36:05 - Finding Balance and Practicing Self-Care in Activism

38:35 - Authentic Activism: Going Beyond Performative Actions

42:10 - The Role of Marketing in Perpetuating Stereotypes and Islamophobia

53:21 - Supporting Women in Creating Change: A Ripple Effect

Support the Show.

Find out more about Rose's work here: https://lnk.bio/dr.rose.aslan
Website: https://compassionflow.com

Support Rahma with Rose so I can keep producing more episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2197727/supporters/new

Music credits: Vocals: Zeynep Dilara Aslan; Ney/drum: Elif Önal; Tanbur: Katherine Hreib; Rebap: Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev