Faiza Susan
This interview is with Faiza Susan, an Ahmadi Muslim woman and aspiring counselor. Faiza talks about her experiences growing up in an insular minority community and the bigotry she was subjected to at a young age in North Texas. She tells the stories of her mother and grandfather who experienced persecution in Pakistan for being Ahmadi. Having seen and felt traumas common among South Asians, Faiza is working toward her masters in rehabilitation counseling in order to become a counselor for the Desi Muslim community.
Wajiha Rizvi
This interview is with Wajiha Rizvi, an attorney and writer living in Austin, TX. Wajiha tells the story of growing up in a small Shia community just getting its footing in the DFW area. She talks about the Partition of India in 1947, how that event impacted her family, and the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma. She shares details about the book she has written about the Partition and her journey toward becoming a published author. Wajiha also discusses her education and career as an attorney and the social activism she participates in.
Manahil Bilal
This interview is with Manahil Bilal, a young Muslim woman and software developer in Spring, TX. Manahil describes life in her close-knit extended family and tells the story of her immediate family’s immigration and their adjustment to life in the US. She discusses her relationship with her Pakistani and Muslim identities over time and learning to embrace them despite misunderstandings by those around her. Manahil also talks about how 9/11 was taught in her schools, including misinformation by teachers and under-emphasis on the long term impact the attacks had on Muslims and those perceived to be Muslims in the US.