In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we sit down with comedian, humanitarian, and community organizer Said Durrah for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, service, storytelling, and purpose. Said reflects on growing up Palestinian-American, balancing comedy with humanitarian work, and the experiences that shaped his commitment to serving communities around the world. From fundraising efforts and refugee camp visits to building cultural platforms and launching his new Arab Is Me podcast, he shares personal stories about faith, resilience, representation, and the responsibility of preserving culture through art. The conversation also explores the challenges facing younger generations, the importance of authentic storytelling, mental health, and how creative work can become a vehicle for impact during times of crisis and uncertainty. 

Palestinian by way of Gaza, Syrian by way of Damascus, and American by way of Detroit, Said Durrah has made audiences laugh in ways that transcend borders, languages, and cultures. Said's first performances as a young child were in front of his family, where he’d tell stories and impersonate other family members. It was only a matter of time until Said made his way on to an official comedic stage -- first, at the Comic Strip in NYC in 2010, and since, at famous venues such as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Hollywood’s Laugh Factory, DC Improv, Caroline's in Times Square and even a performance on Broadway, just to name a few. Thousands have seen his performances live via tours including Allah Made Me Funny, 1001 Laughs Comedy Tour, Funatical Comedy Tour, and performances throughout Palestine including the historic El-Hakawati theater in Jerusalem. Said has also taught comedy workshops for children in the West Bank. Combining his love of comedy with his dedication to humanitarian work, Said has led, supported, and lent his comedic stylings to dozens of fundraising efforts, helping provide millions of dollars in vital aid for people in need around the world. 

In this conversation, we explore

 - Said’s journey from stand-up comedy to humanitarian and advocacy work

 - Fundraising efforts and supporting families affected by conflict and displacement

 - The balance between entertainment, service, and community leadership

 - Why preserving Arab and Palestinian culture matters for future generations

 - The story behind the launch of the Arab Is Me podcast

 - Identity, belonging, and growing up Arab in America

 - The role of comedy in storytelling, healing, and cultural representation

 - Navigating public criticism, activism, and community expectations

 - Mental health conversations within Arab and Muslim communities

 - Why authentic human connection matters more than social media validation

 - Lessons learned from years of community organizing and nonprofit work

 - Supporting young people pursuing creative careers and unconventional paths

 - Said's biggest comedy influences and the future of Arab-American storytelling

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

This video is for educational purposes only. It documents personal experience, public encounters, and political dialogue.

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🎙️ In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we sit down with Omar Baddar for a wide-ranging conversation on Palestine advocacy, American politics, media strategy, and the art of public debate. Omar shares his thoughts on electoral politics, the challenges facing the Palestinian movement, lessons from debating some of the most prominent pro-Israel voices in the media, and why effective advocacy requires discipline, strategy, and a deep understanding of your audience. He also reflects on movement-building, public opinion shifts on Palestine, and the responsibility of activists navigating a rapidly changing political landscape.

🌍Omar Baddar is a Palestinian American Middle East analyst and a member of the National Policy Council of the DC-based Arab American Institute. He previously served as Communications Director at the Institute for Middle East Understanding, Deputy Director at the Arab American Institute, and Executive Director at the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Massachusetts. He wrote his Master's thesis on US policy towards Israel and Palestine. His media appearances include CNN, MSNBC, BBC, Al-Jazeera, Democracy Now, Uncensored with Piers Morgan, and many other outlets, and his writings have appeared in Salon, Newsweek, Huffpost, the Daily Beast, and Jadaliyya, among other platforms.

🔑 In this conversation, we explore

→ Omar Baddar’s journey into advocacy and public debate

→ Strategy, communication, and effective Palestine advocacy

→ Debates, media narratives, and engaging diverse audiences

→ Palestine’s impact on U.S. politics and voting

→ Shifting U.S. opinion on Israel–Palestine

→ Building a movement and driving policy change

→ Lessons and advice for the next generation of advocates

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

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Inquire to book Maysoon:

⁠https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/maysoon-zayid/⁠

Support Maysoon's Work Amplifying Disabled Voices:

🎙️ In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we sit down with comedian, actress, author, and activist Maysoon Zayid for a powerful conversation on identity, resilience, representation, and survival. From growing up as a Palestinian Muslim woman with cerebral palsy in New Jersey to breaking barriers in comedy and becoming a leading disability advocate, she reflects on the experiences that shaped her voice. Through humor and sharp social commentary, she discusses Hollywood, stereotypes, discrimination, and the realities facing Arab communities today, and why dignity and truth matter more than ever.

🌍 Maysoon Zayid is a comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate. She is a graduate of Arizona State University, and a current Georgetown Qatar fellow. She has taught at Princeton University and NYU. Maysoon is the co-founder/co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and the Muslim Funny Fest. Her Ted Talk, “I Got 99 Problems...Palsy is Just One,” has been translated into 42 languages, and was one of the most popular talks of 2014. As a professional comedian, Maysoon has sold out top New York City clubs and has toured extensively at home and abroad. She was a headliner on the Arabs Gone Wild comedy tour and the Together Live tour. Maysoon has collaborated with Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer Dave Matthews, and was a consultant for Disney. Maysoon had a recurring role on General Hospital, has limped in New York Fashion Week, tap-danced on Broadway, and is an ambassador for Huda Beauty. She is the author of the bestselling memoir Find Another Dream and the award-winning Scholastic graphic novel, Shiny Misfits. Learn more at Maysoon.com.

🔑 In this conversation, we explore

- Maysoon’s journey growing up Palestinian, Muslim, and disabled in America

- How comedy became a tool for resistance, healing, and storytelling

- The story behind her viral TED Talk and rise to global attention

- Breaking barriers in Hollywood and the entertainment industry

- The challenges of navigating identity, safety, and public life

- The pressures of assimilation and preserving cultural identity in America

- Why humor can be one of the most powerful forms of truth-telling

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

🎬 Full episode on https://sumudpod.com

📲 Follow @dredhasan | @sumudpod | @maysoonzayid

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🎙️In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, Dr. Ed Hasan sits down with acclaimed poet, writer, and educator Mosab Abu Toha for a deeply personal conversation on literature, displacement, memory, and survival. Mosab reflects on growing up under siege, founding the Edward Said Library, writing through war and family separation, and using poetry to preserve truth amid destruction. He also shares the stories behind his poems, his experience of detention, and why books, memory, and storytelling remain acts of resistance.

🌍 Mosab Abu Toha is a Palestinian poet and writer who was born in Gaza. In 2025, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his series of essays on Gaza published in The New Yorker. He is the founder of the Edward Said Library, Gaza’s first English-language library, and the author of two acclaimed poetry collections. His debut, Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear (City Lights, 2022), won an American Book Award and a 2022 Palestine Book Award, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. His second collection, Forest of Noise (Knopf, 2024), was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and won the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize. Abu Toha was also named to the 2026 CULT100 list by Cultured Magazine. His poetry and reporting have appeared in major outlets including The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Nation, The Paris Review, and Poetry. His work has been further recognized in several Best American anthologies, including The Best American Food and Travel Writing 2024, The Best American Poetry 2025, and The Best American Essays 2025. A frequent guest on international broadcast media, he has been interviewed on CNN by Christiane Amanpour, PBS NewsHour, Democracy Now!, MSNBC with Chris Hayes, and NPR.

🔑 In this conversation, we explore

→ Growing up in a refugee camp and discovering literature under blockade

→ Founding the Edward Said Library and building cultural spaces in Gaza

→ How poetry documents grief, survival, family, and displacement

→ The story behind Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear

→ Mosab’s detention, separation from his family, and reunion

→ Why memory, storytelling, and literature matter during destruction

→ The dream of creating an international literary festival in Gaza

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

🎬 Full episode on https://sumudpod.com

📲 Follow @dredhasan | @sumudpod | @mosababutoha

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🎙️ In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we sit down with Palestinian author and former academic Ramsey Hanhan for a powerful conversation about Fugitive Dreams, Palestine Bleeds For You, censorship, the Nakba, faith, and the responsibility of witnessing. Ramsey reflects on being in Palestine on October 7, writing in real time as Gaza was being destroyed, and why Palestinian voices must continue to speak even when the world tries to silence them.

🌍 Ramsey Hanhan is the author of two books: Palestine Bleeds For You (2026) and the autobiographical Fugitive Dreams (2022). His short stories, essays, and poetry appear in The Harvard Advocate, Fikra magazine, Scene48, Mondoweiss and other publications. He also speaks about Palestine and literature. Formerly a physics professor, Ramsey holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and lives near Baltimore, Maryland.

Ramsey's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ramseyhanhan

Ramey's Substack (Renegade Living): https://renegadeliving.us

Pre-order 'Palestine Bleeds for You' at your favorite local bookstore using ISBN # 9781967022281

Pre-order at 'Palestine Bleeds for You' on Bookshop:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/palestine-bleeds-for-you-ramsey-hanhan/20686de9959e9091?ean=9781967022281&next=t

Order 'Fugtive Dreams':https://ramseyhanhan.org/

🔑 In this conversation, we explore

→ How Palestine Bleeds For You began on October 7

→ Why Palestinian voices are being censored and silenced

→ What it means to witness genocide in real time

→ Palestinian Christian identity and the weaponization of religion

→ The Nakba, the Right of Return, and Palestinian survival

→ Why “Do you condemn Hamas?” is the wrong question

→ Ramsey’s message to Palestinians: “Don’t give up, ever”

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

🎬 Full episode on https://sumudpod.com

📲 Follow @dredhasan | @sumudpod | @RamseyHanhan

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🎙️ In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we sit down with former Biden administration officials Tariq Habash and Josh Paul; co-founders of A New Policy — for one of the most candid conversations yet about Washington, political power, and the growing movement demanding accountability in U.S. foreign policy. The conversation goes far beyond headlines. From student protests and free speech crackdowns to arms transfers, ICE training programs, campaign financing, and the future of American politics, this episode explores how the issue of Palestine intersects with nearly every major political debate in America today. Together, they discuss the creation of A New Policy, their strategy for building political power, and why they believe the next decade could completely transform the conversation around Palestine in the United States.

🌍 Tariq Habash, Co-Founder: Tariq Habash resigned from the U.S. Department of Education in January, 2024 due to the Biden Administration’s policy on Gaza and its unrestricted support for Israel’s aggression against Palestinians. Tariq served for three years as a political appointee and policy advisor in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, where he led the policy office’s student loan portfolio, regulatory policy planning, and budget development process across higher education issues. He was the first political appointee to publicly resign from the Biden Administration. Before entering government, he spent years working on federal policy regarding education finance and racial equity, and co-founded Protect Borrowers. Tariq is a Palestinian-American, and grew up in Middletown, Ohio. He holds degrees from the University of Miami and Harvard Graduate School of Education.

→ Why Tariq Habash and Josh Paul resigned from the Biden administration

→ How U.S. foreign policy is shaped behind closed doors

→ The role of lobbying, campaign money, and AIPAC in Washington politics

→ How Gaza, student protests, and campus crackdowns changed the national conversation

→ Why Palestine has become central to debates around education, policing, and civil rights

→ How A New Policy is working to change U.S. policy from within the system

→ How elections, grassroots pressure, and younger voters are reshaping Congress and the Democratic Party

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

🎬 Full episode on https://sumudpod.com

📲 Follow @dredhasan | @sumudpod | @tariqhabash_ | @anewpolicy | @anewpolicyorg

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🎙️ In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, Egyptian journalist Rahma Zein discusses journalism, propaganda, resistance, and identity, with a focus on Palestine. She shares her upbringing, experiences covering revolutions and war zones, and insights on media bias and Western narratives. Rahma reflects on reporting from Rafah during Gaza, the viral moment that amplified her voice, and the emotional toll of witnessing injustice. The conversation highlights ethical storytelling, challenges dehumanizing narratives, and explores themes of solidarity, Arab identity, and resilience in a raw and deeply human exchange.

🌍 Rahma Zein is an Egyptian journalist with over a decade of experience in field reporting, media strategy, and public relations. She began her career as an investigative reporter for Egyptian TV and CBC, covering the Arab region during 2011 political changes in Egypt and Libya and interviewing key political figures. Currently Rahma works as a consultant for Tech for Palestine, an incubator for advocacy projects across the world.

🔑 In this conversation, we explore

→ Rahma’s upbringing in a family of journalists and political thinkers

→ The power of storytelling in shaping empathy and public understanding

→ Media propaganda, Western bias, and narratives around Palestine

→ Her experiences reporting during the Egyptian revolution and Arab Spring

→ The emotional toll of covering war, including at the Rafah border

→ The viral Clarissa Ward confrontation and its global impact

→ Identity, activism, and the role of solidarity in the fight for justice

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Opening message and introducing Rahma Zein

03:30 Growing up in a family of journalists

08:00 Spearfishing, freediving, risk, and life outside comfort zones

17:45 Why journalism must be learned in the field

29:00 Media, self-awareness, values, and the foundation of journalism

38:30 Rafah, bombing, fear, and the moment that changed everything

1:15:00 Tech for Palestine, ethical alternatives, and final message

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

🎬 Full episode on https://sumudpod.com

📲 Follow @dredhasan | @sumudpod | @zein_rahma

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🎙️ In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, Palestinian-American comedian Rami Abushhab opens up about growing up in Chicago as one of the only Palestinians in his community and navigating Hollywood as an Arab actor. He shares personal stories about identity, representation, and the pressure to hide who he is, while reflecting on the emotional toll of witnessing the ongoing tragedy in Palestine. Rami explores how comedy serves as both a coping mechanism and a form of resistance, and speaks on generational trauma, privilege, and his mission to create space for future Palestinian creatives. The episode also features a moving letter to his future children, capturing grief, hope, and pride.

🌍 Rami Abushhab is an award-winning Palestinian-American actor and stand-up comedian. As an actor, he’s known for his work on TV shows like Law & Order and Chicago Fire, as well as his role in BJ’s Mobile Gift Shop, an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival. Beyond acting, Rami writes, directs, and produces his own short films, using storytelling to highlight Palestinian narratives and challenge stereotypes. As a comedian, he has toured internationally and been featured on platforms like WGN and Forbes. His style blends sharp storytelling with political satire, tackling difficult topics with humor, honesty, and purpose. Rami continues to tour and create, with a mission to represent his people authentically and open doors for the next generation of Palestinian artists.

🔑 In this conversation, we explore

→ Growing up Palestinian in Chicago and discovering identity

→ Realizing Palestine wasn’t on the map

→ Navigating Hollywood and pressure to hide his identity

→ Comedy as resistance and storytelling

→ The emotional toll of witnessing tragedy in Palestine

→ Representation, art, and humanizing Palestinians

→ A powerful letter to future children about being Palestinian

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

🎬 Full episode on https://sumudpod.com

📲 Follow @dredhasan | @sumudpod | @ramiabushhab

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🎙️ In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we speak with Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, activist, author, and founder of MuslimGirl.com, about the personal and political realities shaping Muslim and Palestinian lives today. She reflects on grief, identity, and resilience amid the ongoing violence in Gaza, and discusses how media narratives, systemic oppression, and collective trauma intersect with her own experiences growing up Muslim in post-9/11 America. The conversation explores storytelling, community responsibility, and the importance of humanizing Palestinian voices, while highlighting how courage, solidarity, and truth-telling can challenge injustice from within and beyond our communities.

🌍 Amani Al-Khatahtbeh is a global media founder, political strategist, and leading voice at the intersection of digital rights, culture, and power. As the creator of Muslim Girl, she has spent the past decade reshaping the narrative of Muslim women in the West, transforming it from a point of marginalization into a cultural and political force. Her work sits at the forefront of critical global conversations on free expression, platform accountability, and the future of the digital public square. Named one of CNN’s “25 Most Influential American Muslims,” Amani became the first Muslim woman from New Jersey in American history to run for U.S. Congress. Her first book, Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age (Simon & Schuster), is a two-time Editors’ Pick on The New York Times Best Sellers list. Labeled by The Economist as a “generation prophet,” her writing and commentary have appeared in TIME, The Washington Post, Variety, and beyond. Amani’s influence spans media, policy, and culture. She has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and has collaborated with leading institutions, brands, and international organizations. She has shared stages with President Bill Clinton, Gloria Steinem, Shonda Rhimes, Hasan Minhaj, and other influential voices shaping global discourse. She is currently building Digital Assembly, a next-generation think tank focused on redefining participation, equity, and governance in the digital age.

🔑 In this conversation, we explore

→ The emotional and psychological impact of the ongoing tragedy in Palestine

→ How collective grief and personal loss intersect in times of war and crisis

→ Growing up Muslim in post-9/11 America and navigating identity under scrutiny

→ The role of media in shaping narratives about Muslims and Palestinians

→ Islamophobia, misogyny, and the unique challenges faced by Muslim women

→ Internal community struggles and the importance of solidarity and accountability

→ The intersection of feminism, faith, and cultural identity

→ Activism, moral courage, and making difficult ethical decisions in public life

→ The power of storytelling to humanize marginalized communities

→ Why protecting and uplifting vulnerable voices is essential for collective liberation

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Opening clip: Protecting women + liberation message

01:00 Introducing Amani + background and achievements

03:00 Ramadan, grief, and mental health in community

07:00 Identity, hijab journey, and finding roots in Jordan

13:00 Muslim Girl origin: blogging, bullying, and representation

20:00 Activism, backlash, and navigating public visibility

32:00 Community tensions, feminism, and protecting Muslim women

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

🎬 Full episode on https://sumudpod.com

📲 Follow @dredhasan | @sumudpod | @amani | @amaniverified | @amaniuniverse | @watermelonplusco

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🎙️ In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, First Amendment attorney Jenin Younes discusses the growing crackdown on speech about Palestine in the U.S., drawing on her experience as a Palestinian American and civil liberties advocate. She explores censorship, political pressure, and the risks of speaking out, especially after October 7th, while reflecting on her personal journey into public advocacy. From her legal challenges to anti-BDS laws to her work with the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Jenin highlights the broader threats to free expression and the urgent need to defend fundamental rights.

🌍 Jenin Younes is a free speech and civil liberties attorney and the National Legal Director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). A former New York City public defender and First Amendment litigator, she has spent her career challenging government overreach and defending the rights of individuals to speak freely. Previously, Jenin led high-profile cases involving censorship and government pressure on social media platforms, including litigation that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. She has also worked extensively on issues related to public health policy, civil liberties, and constitutional law. As a Palestinian American, Jenin brings both personal and professional insight to her current work, where she focuses on defending Arab American communities and combating the growing suppression of pro-Palestinian speech. Her advocacy sits at the intersection of law, politics, and human rights, making her a leading voice in the fight for free expression and justice.

🔑 In this conversation, we explore:

-Jenin Younes’ upbringing and connection to Palestine

-The impact of October 7th and the risks of speaking out

-The “Palestine exception” to free speech in the U.S.

-Government involvement in censorship of pro-Palestinian voices

-Her legal challenges to anti-BDS laws and civil liberties work with the ADC

-Media narratives and professional backlash

-Protecting free expression in an increasingly restrictive climate

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Opening clip: JD Vance exchange + use of power

01:00 Introducing Jenin Younes

06:30 Growing up Palestinian American + early identity

13:00 Legal philosophy: compelled to speak out

18:30 COVID era: speaking out, backlash, and career risk

30:30 October 7 shift: isolation, pressure, and turning point

40:30 Joining ADC + fighting censorship and legal battles

Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com

🎬 Full episode on https://sumudpod.com

📲 Follow @dredhasan | @sumudpod | @jeninyounesesq

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