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.
Shadia Igram
This interview is with Shadia Igram, founder and executive director of Muslim Space in Austin, TX. Shadia speaks about how her experience growing up in a close and vibrant American Muslim community inspired her to create Muslim Space. She talks about her desire to build such a welcoming community in Austin and to improve continuously on its diversity and inclusivity. Shadia also discusses her goal of dispelling the notion of American Muslims as others and outsiders within broader American culture.
Khadeeja Moosa
This interview is with Khadeeja Moosa, a young Pakistani-American Muslim woman. Khadeeja describes growing up as a hijabi in North Texas and her experiences of othering and prejudice. She talks about how 9/11 was memorialized and taught in her public school and the ways in which this presentation impacted her. She discusses the misrepresentation of Islam in media and public education as a legacy that remains alive long after the events of 9/11.
Sandy "Sakinah" Gutierrez
This interview is with Sandy “Sakinah” Gutierrez, a Colombian-American revert to Islam and co-founder of the non-profit IslamInSpanish. Sakinah tells the story of being a spiritual seeker alongside her husband, and how the two ultimately found fulfillment in Islam. She talks about how several members of their family decided to accept Islam due to the example and education she and her husband offered. Sakinah also discusses the founding and growth of IslamInSpanish, whose mission is to make information about Islam available to Spanish-speaking Latinos.
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.
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.