Hasan Abbas
This interview is with Hasan Abbas, a Pakistani first-generation American who works in accounting. Hasan talks about his interest in culture, from American pop culture to traditional Pakistani culture, and his continuing efforts to participate in and learn about both. He compares his experiences of different places, having lived in New York and Texas and visited Pakistan many times with his family. Hasan also shares how his religious, cultural, and family backgrounds influenced his life path and his values of empathy and respect for others.
Isa Parada
This interview is with Imam Isa Parada, a Latino Muslim leader with IslamInSpanish. Isa talks about growing up in New York City and Houston, the popular culture of his youth, and being involved in criminal activity as a teen. He tells the story of wanting to make a change in his life for the better, exploring Islam, and converting at the age of twenty. Isa describes the struggles of converting, such as his family’s initial concern and prejudice, as well as the joys, such as meeting his wife and studying in Saudi Arabia. He goes on to discuss the origin and growth of IslamInSpanish.
Jessica Disla
This interview is with Jessica Disla, a member of the IslamInSpanish community and an aspiring teacher. Jessica talks about growing up and family dynamics in a Dominican-American family in Dominican Republic and New York City. She shares her journey in her career and education and is currently working towards her bachelor’s in education in order to teach ESL. She discusses spiritual seeking and asking difficult questions about religion, and how her curiosity eventually led to IslamInSpanish and her conversion to Islam. Jessica describes her love for the IslamInSpanish community and the many ways she participates in it.
Maesha Meto
This interview is with Maesha Meto, a public affairs grad student and activist in Austin, TX. Maesha talks about her childhood experiences as a young immigrant, such as learning English and feeling alienated from her peers. She shares stories of the Islamophobia she and her family experienced while she was growing up. She also talks about her political awakening and her activist involvement, including police reform work in New York City.
Mara Nathan
This interview is with Rabbi Mara Nathan, leader of the Reform synagogue Temple Beth-El in San Antonio. Mara tells the stories of her congregation’s history and of the arrival and growth of Jewish communities in Texas. She talks about her experience managing community engagement during the pandemic and moving into a hybrid worship model as it becomes safe to do so. She also describes her experience working from home and interacting with her family in new ways, both heartening and frustrating.
Shameem Azizad
This interview is with Shameem Azizad, a radiologist and a mother who lives in Austin, Texas. Shameem discusses navigating her faith from her childhood to adulthood and the potential challenges she sees her children face, her background as the child of refugee parents, and her relationship with the state of Texas. Shameem also defines the label “American-Muslim” as it pertains to her views of American culture. Finally, Shameem recounts her work with Muslim Community Support Services, an organization that strives to support indigent and abused in the Muslim community.