Aisha Fall
This interview is with Aisha Fall, a Senegalese-American Muslim in Chicago, IL. Aisha shares memories from her childhood, including friendships, schooling, and travels to Senegal and France. She describes her time at UTSA and her involvement with the MSA there. While there, she attended the Muslim Children Education and Civic Center where she became a leader on the Youth Committee. She talks about her experience there and the influential people she worked with.
Tara Bonds
This interview is with Tara Bonds, an educator and librarian in Elgin, TX. Tara shares the story of a trip she took to Egypt with her grandmother after college, and how it opened her eyes to cultural diversity and intercultural connection. She then describes her first year teaching middle school, which began with the events of 9/11, and how she navigated that in the classroom and provided a safe escape for students. Tara also discusses the lasting impacts of post-9/11 legislation on every-day freedoms and national security.
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.