Parvez and Omar kick-off 2025 by finally dedicating an entire episode to a recurring and perennial conversation on the podcast: parenting challenges in today's climate. To help navigate this conversation, they are joined by Ali Bishop, an experienced mental health professional who works as a Mental Health Clinician at a local Bay Area public high school. Topics include the general challenges facing teens in high school today (e.g., mental health, academic and peer pressures, social media, etc.),...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 156
To close out 2024 Parvez and Omar are joined by two Syrian-American guests to share their perspectives on the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the potential implications and challenges facing post-Assad Syria, and how the Syrian-American community is responding to these events. Along the way the show's guests candidly (and humorously!) discuss their experiences growing up as children of Syrian immigrants in the United States. To change things up a bit, the show begins dropping listeners in the ...
Dec 29, 2024•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 155
Mere days aways from Election Day 2024, Parvez and Omar are rejoined by Civil Rights Attorney and Activist Zahra Billoo to discuss the Muslim vote and the 2024 Presidential Election. Are Muslims simply approaching who to vote for with the "lesser of two evils" calculus? Is there a long game and what are the short term consequences of playing the long game? All this and more for the show's special Election 2024 episode! About Zahra Billoo Zahra Billoo serves as the Executive Director of the Counc...
Nov 03, 2024•59 min•Ep. 154
After a bit of a hiatus due to busy schedules, Parvez and Omar are honored to be joined by Imam Jihad Mustafa, Founder of the Qawwamun Retreat. This was a wide-ranging conversation with Imam Jihad discussing how socially conscious Hip-hop brought him to Islam, how today's Zeitgest and pop culture has engendered a crisis of defining and exemplifying masculinity to young men, and how the Qawwamun Retreat for young men seeks to address these challenges. About Imam Jihad Mustafa Jihad Mustafa was bo...
Oct 02, 2024•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 153
Closing out the blessed month of Muharram, Parvez and Omar are back for a timely and important discussion about Muharram, the Day of Āshūrā, and the events of Karbala from a Shīʿī perspective. This is a deep dive into Shīʿī readings of early Muslim history and the centrality of the Ahl-al Bayt (The Household/Progeny of the Prophet Muhammedﷺ) and specifically how the events of Karbala and the venerative rites and traditions of Muharram inform Shīʿī devotional life. About Ahmad Rashid Salim Ahmad ...
Aug 04, 2024•3 hr 2 min•Ep. 152
A special discussion for the Haj and Eid-ul Adha season, Parvez and Omar are joined by returning guest Dr. Ali Ataie . The show dives deep into the Prophet Abraham(as) in the monotheistic scriptures/traditions, including Abraham's service of sacrifice, the innumerable blessings bestowed to Abraham and his covenant with God. The conversation then examines how the Biblical and Tanakhic traditions has been co-opted and distorted by Jewish and Christian Zionists alike as it relates to the modern sta...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 151
For the show's 150th episode Parvez & Omar are joined by the second guest ever to appear on the podcast, Zahra Billoo , Civil rights Attorney and Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA). Zahra brings her years of tireless Civil Rights work and activism to bear as she discusses the recent protests and encampments taking place across college campuses placing them within the broader Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and disc...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 150
Parvez and Omar are truly honored to host Dr. Mohammad Subeh who just returned from a five week medical mission to the Gaza Strip, specifically the Rafah Crossing to the south. Dr. Subeh shares his background born to a Palestinian refugee family living in Kuwait and then forced to flee overnight at the start of the First Persian Gulf War and invasion of Kuwait. Dr. Subeh shares in harrowing detail what he witnessed first-hand during his time in the Gaza Strip. It is a sobering listen as he recou...
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 149
Here is an episode that's been a few years in the making! We finally had the privilege of sitting with Dr. Jihad Saafir of Islah LA to discuss his background, academic training, as well as the remarkable and pioneering work that Islah LA and Islah Academy are doing to serve the community in South Los Angeles. As you've come to expect from the podcast we cover a lot of ground including the socio-cultural realities of Islam in the Inner City and some of the interesting topics Dr. Saafir explores a...
Mar 26, 2024•2 hr 20 min•Ep. 148
It's not too often that you come across a Silicon Valley raised and Dar-ul-Uloom trained Imam but that's exactly who joins Parvez and Omar to kick-off the blessed month of Ramadan. Imam Tahir Anwar , Imam of the South Bay Islamic Association and Lecturer at Zaytuna College returns to the show! This time around the discussion includes a deep dive into his background, his religious education and training, in addition to having him impart precious gems of wisdom and advice for Ramadan. As always it...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 147
Parvez and Omar are honored to be joined by Shaykh Jamaal Diwan , co-founder and Resident Scholar at The Majlis . This was a wide-ranging conversation with Shaykh Jamaal discussing his personal journey connecting with his faith, his studies at Al-Azhar University, and the principles underlying The Majlis. Beyond his personal journey the conversation touches on parenting, the challenges of nurturing a sense of community in the United States, a "cultural topography" of Southern California, and muc...
Feb 13, 2024•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 146
For our first episode of 2024 we present an interview conducted during our trip to Chicago with Dr. Hooman Keshavarzi, Founder and Executive Director of Khalil Center. Dr. Keshavarzi discusses his journey connecting with his faith, becoming a clinical psychologist, and how he integrated his studies in Islamic theology and spirituality towards creating an optimal, holistic model of mental health care and wellness. Dr. Keshavarzi's insight and in-depth of knowledge of Western and Islamic modalitie...
Jan 16, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 145
We are back to close out 2023 and continuing our discussions on Palestine, this time through the prism of the Civil Rights struggle in the United States. Professor Michael Fishbach joins us to discuss his 2019 book Black Power and Palestine: Transnational Countries of Color. Professor Fishbach chronicles how Black Power activists and others in the Civil Rights struggle came to see Palestinians as a kindred people of color, waging the same struggle for freedom and justice as themselves. He brings...
Dec 24, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 144
We are deeply honored and privileged to be joined by the eminent historian and perhaps leading academic on Palestine in the United States, Professor Rashid Khalidi . Dr. Khalidi discussesed his new book The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017 which chronicles his personal and ancestral connection to the land of Palestine and what he characterizes as a war on the Palestinian people by colonial powers and Zionist settler colonialism for over ...
Nov 19, 2023•51 min•Ep. 143
We are back to discuss the ongoing crisis in Palestine, this time focusing on the one-sided and ideologically motivated media coverage. To offer his analysis and perspective, and discuss the possible factors that may change that status quo, we are joined by The Intercept's veteran journalist Murtaza Hussain. About Murtaza Hussain Brooklyn-based journalist and “Habitual line stepper” Murtaza Hussain is a political commentator for The Intercept, embodying the online publication’s dedication to “pr...
Nov 14, 2023•50 min•Ep. 142
We had the pleasure of sitting with Dr. Ussama Makdisi , Professor of History at the University of California Berkeley for a detailed, highly enlightening and impassioned discussion of the history of the Palestinian struggle. Dr. Makdisi masterfully contextualizes what is happening right now in Palestine within the broader history of the Western colonialist, Zionist project that has dehumanized, brutalized, and ethnically cleansed the Palestinian people for over 75 years. About Dr. Ussama Makdis...
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 141
10/3/2013 - 10/3/2023 Parvez gets on mic to ruminate on 10 years of the podcast, its genesis, mission, accomplishments, pitfalls avoided, and future plans. We are immensely proud and grateful for these past 10 years but we could not have done it without you, our listeners! Thank you for your continued support, feedback, and for sharing the show. We pray that Allah blesses us with 10 more years and beyond by His Fadl and Tawfiq.
Oct 05, 2023•25 min•Ep. 140
We continue making our way through our Chicago recordings with a very special conversation about Palliative Care, a topic that is hardly discussed in the Muslim communities but can impact the lives of young and old alike within the community. Palliative care specifically deals with relieving serious health-related suffering, be it physical, psychological, social, or spiritual for patients with serious illness like cardiovascular disease, cancer, major organ failure, end-stage chronic illness, ac...
Sep 23, 2023•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 139
Next stop in Chicagoland takes us to Skokie where Parvez and Omar had the honor of sitting with author, educator and school administrator, Habeeb Quadri. We had an in-depth conversation about his experiences growing up in Chicago, what inspired him to become an educator, and his journey from teaching inner city schools in Detroit and Chicago to serving as Principal and Superintendent of a renowned Islamic school. It was also a great opportunity for Parvez and Habeeb, who have known each other fo...
Sep 05, 2023•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 138
Next stop on Parvez & Omar's Chicago sojourn is the beautiful CAIR offices on historic State Street in downtown where they had the privilege of sitting with Ahmed Rehab . Ahmed's ability to articulate a clear and convincing analysis of contemporary social and political issues while maintaining a fidelity to Islam's normative teachings and practices made for a wide ranging and thought-provoking interview. About Ahmed Rehab Ahmed is Executive Director of the Chicago Office of the Council on Am...
Aug 22, 2023•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 137
Parvez and Omar have the opportunity to sit with Shaykh Amin Kholwadia and learn about his lifelong journey towards Islamic scholarship, from childhood, schooling, coming to America, and ultimately, the establishment of Darul Qasim, an institute of traditional Islamic higher learning headquartered in the Glendale Heights suburb of Chicago. About Shaykh Mohammed Amin Kholwadia Shaykh Amin is continually engaged with a diverse following of mentees. His deep knowledge in the Islamic tradition and h...
Aug 06, 2023•1 hr 47 min•Season 10Ep. 136
We are joined by Umair Haseeb. They discuss his family background, growing up in Chicagoland, the spark that led to his spiritual awakening, and his studies towards Islamic scholarship abroad. About Umair Haseeb Umair Haseeb formally studied Arabic, the basics of Islam, and Quran in Chicago, which lead him to move to Morocco and Sahara to pursue a full time study of Arabic and Islamic Law. He received his ’Shahada’, or degree as well licenses directly from their Scholars, after studying at The Q...
Jul 23, 2023•2 hr 50 min•Season 10Ep. 135
We visited the Stanford University campus to sit with Professor Adnan Zulfiqar to discuss his journey and his work in the fields of law, history and religion, as well as some of the research he is currently doing in the areas of criminal law & procedure, Islamic jurisprudence, and rule of law in the Global South. We found Adnan's experiences to be extraordinary and his insights to be enlightening, and we think you'll really enjoy the discussion! About Adnan Zulfiqar Adnan Zulfiqar is an inte...
Jul 05, 2023•2 hr 17 min•Season 10Ep. 134
Parvez and Omar return from a short post-Ramadan hiatus and meet with Shaykh Jabir Tarin to discuss his path as a young man to scholarship, his work in the growing and important field of Muslim mental health and counseling, as well his involvement with the Halal Food Standards Alliance of America (HFSAA). About Shaykh Jabir Tarin Shaykh Jabir Tarin is a registered associate marriage and family therapist. He has served as a teacher at several Islamic institutions, including Dua Seminary, where he...
Jun 10, 2023•1 hr 47 min•Season 10Ep. 133
Parvez and Omar are joined by Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi , as they discuss the challenges (and joys) of raising Muslim children. She shares some of her own experiences growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area and also offers insights about how to instill a love of the Deen and a strong Muslim identity in our children. About Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi Hosai Mojaddidi has been serving the Muslim community for over 25 years as a teacher, public speaker, author/writer, spiritual counselor, and mental heal...
Apr 04, 2023•2 hr 17 min•Season 10Ep. 132
Parvez and Omar are joined by Shaykha Muslema Purmul, co-founder and Religious Director at The Majlis . They discuss her family’s journey from Afghanistan to Southern California, as well as her motivations to pursue her religious studies at Al-Azhar University, and the work she is doing today as Religious Director at The Majlis. About Muslema Pumul Muslema Purmul was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and raised in San Diego, California. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego wi...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 38 min•Season 9Ep. 131
Parvez and Omar are joined by Shahan Mufti , author of American Caliph, The True Story of a Muslim Mystic, a Hollywood Epic, and the 1977 Siege of Washington, DC.The new book is the first full account of the largest ever hostage taking on American soil and of the tormented man who masterminded it. Informed by extensive archival research and access to hundreds of declassified FBI files, American Caliph is a riveting true-crime story that sheds new light on the disarray of the 1970s and its ongoin...
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 56 min•Season 10Ep. 130
Parvez and Omar sit down with Yousuf Azhar who shares his personal experiences joining and then leaving a Muslim cult, the corrosive spiritual manipulation and abuse he suffered, and the patterns to look out for. About Yousuf Azhar Yousuf Azhar was born in India and migrated to the USA at the age of two. He studied Arabic at the University of Damascus for one year and has studied general Islamic sciences with various scholars throughout his life. He now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with...
Feb 13, 2023•2 hr 49 min•Season 10Ep. 129
Parvez and Omar take a visit to Souther California to sit down in person with Sue Obeidi and Evelyn Alsultany to discuss the state of Muslims in the media. About Our Guests Sue Obeidi is the Director of the Hollywood Bureau for the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) . Obeidi ensures that MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau is a partner with the entertainment industry. Evelyn Alsultany is a leading expert on the history of representations of Arabs and Muslims in the U.S. media and on forms of anti-Arab and...
Jan 17, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 10Ep. 128
Parvez and Omar are joined by a fellow podcaster, Ahmed Khan. They sit down at Zaytuna College in Berkeley to discuss the power of storytelling, and the inspiration behind some of their respective work in the world of podcasts. About The Creative Minority Podcast The Creative Minority seeks to engage with contemporary intellectual issues ranging from but not included to politics, philosophy, theology, sociology, metaphysics, ethics, history, medicine and others. Our speakers include world class ...
Dec 24, 2022•1 hr 40 min•Season 9Ep. 127
