What is child sexual abuse, and how can families in the Muslim community take meaningful steps to protect, educate, and support their children? Though it is often considered a taboo subject, child sexual abuse is unfortunately prevalent in all communities, including the Muslim community, and addressing it openly is crucial for prevention and awareness.

In this episode of the Muslim Superdad & Wondermom podcast, we are joined by Omar Shareef and Alaa Mohammad Shareef from the Community Education team at The Family and Youth Institute. Together, they discuss the cultural challenges of addressing this sensitive topic, how to recognize warning signs, and strategies for empowering children with age-appropriate knowledge. They also offer guidance on fostering an environment of trust and open communication, helping families break down barriers to address this critical issue compassionately and effectively.

With Ramadan less than one week away, I’m overjoyed to announce the launch of our “Digital Ramadan Camp,” an immersive and interactive daily program that brings the spirit of Ramadan into hearts and homes. The Noor Kids Digital Ramadan Camp begins on Wednesday, March 22nd 2023  and is an online platform filled with spiritually enriching lessons, interactive activities, and nonstop fun to make this Ramadan the best yet! We partnered with Islamic Relief, USHUB, Noor Vitamins + LaunchGood to provide:

• Daily Story Nights: Every night, we’ll be hosting a live Zoom program featuring heartfelt stories to inspire 5-12 year olds.  
• Special Guest Speakers: We have world renowned guest speakers including nasheed artists like Omar Esa, scholars like Omar Suleiman, and comedians like Moses the Comic, who will be joining us throughout the month.   
• Game Show Nights: Each week, families will participate in an interactive game show night. Not only will kids learn by play - but they also have a chance to win over $5,000 worth of amazing gifts!  
• On-demand, Interactive Activities: We’ve developed a collection of high-quality Ramadan-themed DIY projects (e.g. lanterns, kaba charity boxes, etc). Additionally, we have an animated 30th Juz that allows children to memorize and share with our community.  
• Global-friendly Timing: We've created a calendar to allow families from around the world to participate! During weekdays (M-F) our programs are at 5:30pm CST, and during the weekends (Sat-Sun) our programs are at 12pm CST. 

The Digital Ramadan Camp is $179. However, we’ve decided to make it free for members and for families who sign up today.

The life of the Prophet (S), in his Seerah, or life story and Hadith, or teachings, is the second source after the Holy Qur’an from which we derive our understanding of Allah’s message. However, teaching our children to follow the footsteps of the Prophet (S) isn’t easy if they don’t fully understand who he is and love him truly. So, how can we teach our children to deeply love Rasulullah, the Prophet Muhammad (S), and what is the reality of our relationship with him in the past, present, and future? 

In this episode of the Muslim Superdad & Wondermom podcast, we discuss fostering appreciation for the Prophet Muhammad (S) through learning about his life. We spoke with Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra, a scholar popularly known for writing the “Seerah Song”. He shared the secrets to nurturing a deep love for the Prophet (S), which was the goal of his “Seerah Song”. Shaykh Abdullah also explained how the Prophet (S) himself contextualized and modeled his teachings in his day to day life. 

The beauty of Islam and the guidance of Allah (SWT) are capable of illuminating even the darkest places of our society, the prison system. And subhanAllah, there are many people who become Muslim in prisons around the country. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked by their local Muslim communities, who fail to give them the support they need. 

What can we do for Muslims in prisons, and why does it matter that we support them? Joining us in conversation in the latest episode of the Muslim Superdad & Wondermom podcast is Br. Hakim Booker, a civil engineer who launched the Prison Quran Project. His passion lies in serving the underserved in our communities, particularly newly converted Muslims in prisons. He shares how he discovered the need for this cause, how he now serves Muslims in prisons around the country, and what we can do to get involved.

A matter of concern for many first and second generation immigrants is that of language. While we can easily and fluently speak English, we often let our mother tongues slide not just as an effort to fit in, but because its just easier. Does it matter if my kids only speak English, or is there value in preserving the languages of our parents and grandparents?

In this episode of the Muslim Superdad & Wondermom podcast, Dr. Aria Razfar, a professor of education at the University of Illinois, explores the deep role that language plays in our lives, the benefits of being fluent in more than one language, and the dangers of losing your mother tongue. He draws upon his research into the sociocultural dimensions of language in the interview.

What is positive psychology, and what does the study of positive psychology tell us about how we should live our lives? The study of positive psychology concerns both the psychology of happiness and subjective well-being, and the psychology of virtue or character strength. With the study of positive psychology comes the importance of forgiveness, optimism, and hope. 

In this episode of the Muslim Superdad & Wondermom podcast, we are joined by Dr. Everett Worthington, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology and the author of numerous books on humility, forgiveness, and child-rearing. Dr. Worthington talks about his lifelong study of positive psychology and discusses the benefits of being optimistic, the power of hope, and the value of learning to forgive.

What is the secret behind the success of the great Muslim scholars before us? Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi to Abu Ali Ibn Sina are just two demonstrations of innovation in the Muslim world. Their upbringing and education in Islam made them encyclopedic scholars from whom we still learn today.

What was the nature of the kind of education these scholars received? How can we provide the tarbiyah that our children need to become innovators and achieve great things? Dr. Rania Awaad, a nationally-recognized leader in Muslim mental health and award-winning researcher in both Islamic and medical sciences, recently shared the secrets behind the success of the great Muslim scholars of our past. She also discussed the most pressing Muslim health issues found in the Muslim American community.

In a society where life is all about careers and earning a living, creativity is often put on a back burner, if it receives any attention at all. However, nurturing creativity in your kids is crucial. What exact role should creativity play in our kids’ lives, and what practical ways can we direct these efforts for the better? Justin Mashouf, an award winning Muslim director and producer based in Los Angeles, shares his journey with creativity, his career in film, and practical ways parents can nurture creativity in their children’s everyday lives

How do Muslim Americans see their identity? In the melting pot of the Western world, no one person can truly say they have just one identity. Each and every individual attributes more than one identity to their own, be it religious, ethnic, cultural, or even chosen attributions based on interests and aspirations. The link between understanding who we are and our mental health lies in two key factors- identity centrality and belonging. 

So how do Muslim Americans experience their identity in the West, and just how confident are they as Muslims? Dr. Hanan Hashem, researcher and community educator at the Family Youth Institue and Teaching Fellow at William James College, recently shared her groundbreaking research titled “Identity, Discrimination, and Belonging: The Arab American Muslim Experience.” She also explored the impact of such experiences on mental health outcomes and overall wellness.