Hyphenated

We're at the Labour conference in Liverpool for this episode with the leader of the party's Foreign Policy Group, Harrow councillor Peymana Assad. Hyphen editor Burhan Wazir and political stand-up comedian Harun Musho'd also join this week's panel to reflect on Keir Starmer's leadership, and what the Labour party stands for, escalating violence in the Middle East, and what it means to be working class in Britain today — a key theme in Starmer's speech — and a viral clip from David Beckham's new Netflix documentary.

Host Reya El-Salahi chats to author Professor Sunny Singh about her love of Indian cinema, Muslim representation on the big screen and not being afraid to speak her mind, ahead of the release of her new book A Bollywood State of Mind.

Plus, Hyphen reporter Aisha Rimi investigates the informal money-management schemes many Muslim women bank on. Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected].

This week we're at the Tory party conference in Manchester with the Conservative Muslim Forum's Deputy Chair Naveed Asghar, joined by the Estonia-based journalist and Hyphen contributor Shafi Musaddique and broadcaster and commentator Fahima Mahomed. Our panel discuss Suella Braverman's controversial comments on multiculturalism, whether the right-leaning British TV channel GB News should shut down in the wake of a sexism row, and our favourite natural landmarks, prompted by the felling of Britain's Sycamore Gap Tree. Plus, in honour of National Poetry Day, the British-Somali poet Momtaza Mehri shares a new poem on the theme of refuge, commissioned exclusively for Hyphen. Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected]

As the UK party conference season gets underway, Hyphen assistant editor Husna Rizvi, Liberal Democrat member and former chair of the Conservative Muslim Forum Mohammed Amin, and host of the She Speaks We Hear podcast Sharmeen Ziauddin discuss what the Lib Dems offer Muslim voters; a new report from rightwing thinktank Civitas criticising the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims' definition of Islamophobia, and Muslim representations in art sparked by what is believed to be the world's first sculpture celebrating women who wear hijabs.

Host Reya El-Salahi chats to travel blogger Yara Abdelsamie about challenging misconceptions about Muslim women through her love of solo travel, the European destinations she recommends and the city she advises hijabis to avoid.

Plus, journalist David Plaisant explores what Rome's Grand Mosque can teach Italy about integration.

Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected].

Hyphen Europe commissioning editor Phoebe Greenwood, author and government climate advisor Dr Imad Ahmed, and Dr Omar Khan, the CEO of TASO, a charity working to improve equality in higher education, discuss the aftermath of devastating natural disasters in Morocco and Libya, lessons to be learnt about UK race relations from the online reaction to a confrontation in a Peckham shop that went viral, and reflect on Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf being included in Time magazine's annual list of 100 emerging world leaders.

Host Reya El-Salahi chats to film critic and podcaster Leila Latif about the must-see Muslim talent to look out for at the BFI London Film Festival 2023.

Plus, journalist Stefania D'Ignoti finds out why Rome's best pizza is Egyptian.

Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected].

This week, Hyphen Editor Burhan Wazir, equalities campaigner and She Speaks We Hear founder Akeela Ahmed, and journalist Remona Aly join host Reya El-Salahi to discuss anti-Muslim violence in India following the G20 summit, the wider impact of France's abaya ban, and Thailand's plan to become a top Muslim-friendly holiday destination. From inedible food to anxiety-inducing airport security, our panel shares their most memorable trips abroad.

Plus, Hyphen journalist Hussein Kesvani investigates the big bidet takeover. Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected].

Hyphen reporter Aisha Rimi, author and advertising exec Shelina Janmohamed and ITV News political correspondent Shehab Khan discuss the issues facing Rishi Sunak's government as MPs return to parliament after the summer recess, the legacy of former Harrods and Fulham FC owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed, following his death, and whether it's still accurate to describe Britain as a Christian country.

Host Reya El-Salahi chats to tech leader Arfah Farooq about the lucky accident of her career path, helping Muslims level up through the Muslamic Makers community and why diversity is key to mitigating the risks of AI.

Plus, journalist Faisal Ali meets the Muslim junior doctors leaving the NHS.

Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected].

Hyphen commissioning editor Samir Jeraj, foreign correspondent and Hyphen contributor Shamim Chowdhury, and social commentator and digital marketing professional Aliya Zaidi discuss the British government's seemingly shambolic plan to house asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge, First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf's straight-talking advice for dealing with bigots and the significance of the first hijabi-wearing footballer in the Women's World Cup.

Host Reya El-Salahi talks to the poet and playwright Inua Ellams about the role his multi-faith upbringing plays in his award-winning work, why accepting an MBE was a bruising decision and how his legal battles to stay in the UK inspired his latest show An Evening With an Immigrant.

Plus, Javaria Akbar explores the challenges of getting fit in a multigenerational household.

The Hyphenated podcast returns in September 2023.

Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected].

Photo by Oliver Holms, courtesy of Inua Ellams

Should freedom of speech extend to burning books? One of Denmark's first Muslim politicians, Özlem Cekic, talks to host Reya El-Salahi on this week's podcast about how this stern test of liberal democratic ideals is playing out against a backdrop of angry condemnation across the Muslim world.

Comedians Mustafa Algiyadi, Sharlin Jahan, Harun Musho'd and Leila Navabi join a special Edinburgh 2023 panel to discuss the highs and lows of performing at the world's biggest arts festival, and whether posting crying selfies online is the best way to market a show.

Plus, Hussein Kesvani meets the Muslim Redditors doomscrolling their way to a spiritual crisis.

Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected].

Hyphen assistant editor Hussein Kesvani, Dr Laura Jones of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and the author and government climate advisor Dr Imad Ahmed discuss how London's Ultra Low Emission Zone is reshaping politics. We also pay tribute to Sinéad O'Connor and explore how Muslim converts are represented in the media.

Host Reya El-Salahi talks to Dr Shabna Begum about her book From Sylhet to Spitalfields, and gives her tips for the best food in Banglatown.

Plus, Hafsa Lodi on how young Muslims became sneakerheads.

Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected].

This week, Hyphen's Europe commissioning editor Phoebe Greenwood, academic and journalist Mohammad Zaheer and journalist Shafi Musaddique discuss Europe's heatwave, a new report by Tell MAMA detailing a decade of anti-Muslim hate. Plus, how new films Barbie and Oppenheimer reignited our love of cinema.

Host Reya El-Salahi talks to Sabah Ahmedi about being one of Britain's youngest Imams and his mission to challenge misconceptions about Islam on social media.

Plus, Hyphen writer Jessica Bateman on how one man took on anti-mosque campaigners in Harrogate and won.

Get in touch with the Hyphenated team: [email protected]