Adam Ashraf Elsayigh, an Egyptian-American playwright and theater-maker known for his works that explore intersections of queerness, immigration, and colonialism, discusses his current projects and personal influences. Adam recounts growing up in Dubai and moving to the United States in his early 20s. This conversation also delves into ideas around representation, where Adam argues that progress is not solely about seeing yourself on stage or screen, but also about shifting the structures and conversations surrounding these spaces.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

Follow Adam Ashraf Elsayigh on X @adamelsayigh

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/expanding-what-it-means-to-be-american-with-adam-ashraf-elsayigh-fannboy-friday/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

Learn more at www.createfann.com

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Amin El Gamal, the first openly queer Muslim actor to play a leading role on a TV show, discusses his early life as a child of Egyptian immigrants, his acting roles in various productions, and the exploration of his queer and Muslim identities. Amin discusses his transition into writing and producing, exploring gender and neurodivergence in his recent short film, 'Unmasking.' He also speaks candidly about his struggles with self-acceptance and navigating the often exclusive worlds of Hollywood and theatre. The discussion concludes with Amin sharing his inspirations in the queer Muslim community, emphasizing the need for more representation behind the camera in the film industry.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

Follow Rehana Lew Mirza on Instagram @feistypharaoh

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/actor-amin-el-gamal-on-creating-complex-stories-and-returning-to-his-pre-hollywood-actor-self-fannboy-friday/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

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Rehana Lew Mirza, a playwright, filmmaker, and founder of Desipina, discusses her career, including her work on a musical titled "Bhangra Nation." She discusses the empowerment she felt in her career, especially through founding Desipina with her sister and taking control of producing her own work. The interview also delves into the challenges of representation in the arts, both in theater and film, and Mirza emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and community-focused approach in the future of theater.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

Follow Rehana Lew Mirza on X @rehanamirza

Visit Rehana Lew Mirza's website: https://www.rehanamirza.com/

Learn more about Desipina: https://www.hellodesipina.org/

Find out more about Bhangra Nation: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/bhangra-nation-a-new-musical/

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/playwright-rehana-lew-mirza-how-do-you-define-too-many-asian-americans-fannboy-friday/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

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Johana Bhuiyan, a senior tech reporter and editor at The Guardian, discusses her coverage of surveillance practices targeting marginalized groups, with a focus on immigration surveillance. She delves into her investigation of a former cattle monitoring company working with ICE to surveil migrants using ankle monitors, facial recognition apps, and smartwatches. Johana highlights the lack of transparency in the use of such technology, emphasizing the storing of collected data for up to 75 years. The discussion expands to broader issues of privacy, law enforcement requests, and the opaque practices of data brokers, revealing the real harms in the ad tech surveillance model.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

You can find Johana Bhuiyan on X @JMBooyah

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/the-pervasive-technology-of-surveillance-with-johana-bhuiyan-fannboy-friday/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

Learn more at www.createfann.com

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Arti Ishak, a biracial, non-binary Muslim American, discusses their recent directing projects and experiences in the entertainment industry. Arti discusses their journey, emphasizing the challenges of navigating representation and identity in the arts. Arti shares insights into their creative process, the impact of the pandemic on their perspective, and the importance of striving for diverse and authentic Muslim representation in media. The conversation also touches on the need for continuous improvement and support for emerging Muslim artists. Throughout, Arti mentions current and upcoming projects, including a short film and a play, showcasing their multidisciplinary art practice.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

You can find Arti Ishak on Instagram @artiishak

Check out Arti Ishak's website: https://www.artiishak.com/

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/artist-arti-ishak-were-not-artists-first-were-humans-first-fannboy-friday/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

Learn more at www.createfann.com

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Canadian-born director, playwright, and screenwriter Kareem Fahmy discusses opening multiple theater productions across different parts of the country. He also emphasizes his journey of feeling empowered as a storyteller and how he navigates his dual identity in the theater and entertainment world. Kareem discusses his perspective on theater versus other creative media, as well as the challenges and freedoms associated with each. He sees a great future trend where narratives of the Muslim experience are diversifying beyond a traditionalist monolithic view. Ultimately, he expresses his hope to inspire a newer generation of storytellers.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

You can find Kareem Fahmy on Instagram @thekareemfahmy and on X @KareemFahmy

Check out Kareem Fahmy's website: https://www.kareemfahmy.com/

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/fannboy-friday-playwright-kareem-fahmy-on-empowering-muslim-voices-in-theater/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

Learn more at www.createfann.com

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Rafay Rashid discusses the release of his debut album, "Kitchen Weapons," and an upcoming tour with Deer Tick. Rafay explains how "Kitchen Weapons" reflects his personal identity formation as a first-generation Pakistani in the US, highlighting the vulnerability and insecurities of his background in contrast to his previous work. He also shares the challenges and four-year journey of bringing the album to fruition and his hopes for its reception and future plans.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

Listen to Rafay Rashid’s latest album, “Kitchen Weapons,” wherever you get your music.

You can find Rafay Rashid on Instagram @ravishavi

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/fannboy-friday-rafay-rashid-debuts-kitchen-weapons-album/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

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Journalist and documentary producer Iliana Hagenah discusses her work and passions. She mentions a recent piece she worked on concerning the royal family's connections to slavery, highlighting her role as a journalist. Iliana shares her experiences covering global stories and her interest in decolonialism, the exploitation of resources, and forced labor. She also talks about her unique project, writing her first script based on her article about the Sudanese revolution. The episode delves into her journey as a creative storyteller, touching on her music and how she uses both journalism and her harp playing to tell compelling narratives. Iliana emphasizes the importance of sharing the stories of underrepresented communities and supporting fellow American Muslim creatives.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

Check out Iliana Hagenah on X: @allanaakh

Check out Iliana Hagenah's website: https://www.ilianahagenah.com/

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/fannboy-friday-iliana-hagenah-journalist-producer-and-harpist/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

Learn more at www.createfann.com

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected].   

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Allana Akhtar, a reporter for The Juggernaut, discusses her focus on topics related to longevity and aging. She explores the increasing interest in anti-aging startups and technology, particularly in South Asian communities, and how research on extending health spans has become a significant area of interest. She also touches on her early experiences in journalism, how the industry has evolved, the importance of listening and empathy in journalism, and mentions several Muslim-identifying journalists she admires. The conversation offers insights into the changing landscape of journalism and the critical skills needed for today's journalists.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

Check out Allana Akhtar on X: @allanaakh

Check out Allana Akhtar's website: https://www.allanakh.com/

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/health-span-and-the-changing-digital-publication-landscape-with-allana-akhtar/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

Learn more at www.createfann.com

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected].   

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Sabrina Siddiqui, a White House reporter at the Wall Street Journal, discusses her coverage of major stories, including President Biden's potential rematch with former President Trump in the next election and Biden's trip to Ukraine. Siddiqui also touches on her coverage of AI technology's impact on society, specifically in schools, and highlights her experiences as a journalist, including the adrenaline rush of publishing impactful stories. Throughout the interview, Siddiqui emphasizes the evolving nature of journalism, the importance of good writing skills, and the need for diverse representation in media, particularly in the context of Muslim journalists.

Hosted by Shahjehan Khan.

Check out Sabrina Siddiqui on Instagram @sabrinasiddiqui

Check out Sabrina Siddiqui on X @SabrinaSiddiqui

Read more about this interview at https://www.createfann.com/sabrina-siddiqui/

Produced by Rifelion Media.

Learn more at www.createfann.com

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected].   

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