This is a performance by ali of the socialist Urdu-language poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poem "Lahu ka Suragh" (translation: Trace of Blood)

Performed Thursday, September 17 in a Poetry / Jam Session co-organized by the following two organizations that support Muslim artists:

• Ihsaan Collective: https://www.ihsaan.art
• Gathering All Muslim Artists (GAMA): https://www.facebook.com/groups/thegamacollective/

One of the most interesting conversations I had at ATX Fest this year was with the co-founders of Lil Bits: Ayesha and Stephanie. This is an Austin startup founded by two speech pathologists. Join me in this multifaceted conversation. We talk about what in the heck speech pathologist is, how Ayesha and Stephanie keeping in touch over the years led them to collaborate on this unique business, how they identified the gap in the market and then pulled up their sleeves to start this business even without having previous experience.

One of my fave parts of the conversation was speaking about raising bilingual kids. Both women speak about their experiences growing up in multi-lingual households. Stephanie speaks about her experience learning her heritage langugage, Spanish, as an adult, and we also and I discuss our approaches to trying to raise bi-lingual children.

This is a great local company that I encourage you all to support. Say "hi" when you see them at local events, and buy their beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully constructed books as gifts to help support these creative local entrepreneurs.

Resources:

YouTube: GREAT set of videos for kids and adults with read alongs and helpful advice on kid-friendly activities in Austin: https://www.youtube.com/@lilbitslanguage

IG: @lilbitslanguage

Website: lilbitsoflanguage dot com (deliberately spelled out bc certain platforms block links)

I struggled when I first came to Austin to keep track of all the different events going on across the local Muslim community. For those who try this themselves, you’ll be familiar with the hassle of following dozens of various public and private WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, websites, newsletters and other publications … and then to check them regularly to see the latest events. I managed to do this at times, but it took a lot of time and effort and the worst part was, I’d still miss events, I’d see an event that looked interesting only to experience a wave of disappointment when I’d realize the date had already past. 

I had wished that someone had a resource that pulled together all these disparate event listings into one central spot, and that’s when I discovered that someone actually did: the ATX Muslims dot com website (deliberately spelled out so you can see the link - often blocked by video and podcast listing services) and Instagram page (@ATXMuslims). Someone had gone through all the intensive effort of getting all the different event listings into one combined resource. On top of that, the website had other helpful resources like listing of halal restaurants. 

I had wondered who was behind this herculean effort. And then as often happens in Austin circles where folks have one or two degrees of separation, a friend mentioned he knew the founder of ATX Muslims…someone who I discovered upon recording this interview, that I had previously met at events around town. 

In this conversation, I also continue my regular practice of recording in Urdu at the end of the episode. Not because I, or most of my guests, speak Urdu that well. But because it’s a good practice to create in our heritage languages. It’s a small active effort to keep these languages alive and kicking, even in the diaspora. An act to encourage 

Join us to learn about the story behind ATX Muslims, how Zeeshan discovered the need for this type of resource, his philosophic approach, and where he can use help from our community. 

Resources: 

Check out the website ATXMuslims dot com (spelled out deliberately)

Find @ATXMuslims on Instagram

This podcast is a labor of love by ali. It goes a long way to like and subscribe this, to share it with others, and also to provide feedback and ideas of folks I can speak with and topics you’re interested in hearing more about. Hit me up at ali.ishaq @ pm . me (eliminate the spaces when you’re emailing me).

Austin Muslims Podcast: Join the fight against big tech mass surveillance Flock spy cams 

This episode focuses on the use of a nefarious big tech mass surveillance tool: automated license plate readers (ALPRs) right here in our communities and how you can join the fight against them. 

On Tuesday, August 11 at 7PM, the City of Pflugerville is considering whether or not to renew its contract with the ALPR company Flock. Marina Roberts - a facilitator with the No ALPR’s Coalition, and Shaimaa Zayaan - Director of the Council on American Islamic Relations in Austin (CAIR) make the case for why we should urge the City to terminate the contract. Public safety benefits touted by advocates of the tool are far outweighed by their use in the consistent violation of civil liberties and demonstrated abuse. Muslims and other marginalized groups are especially at risk of being victimized by these sorts of dystopian big tech tools. 

Many think that we just have to accept mass surveillance. Fact of the matter is…we don’t. I point you to not only cities across the nation that have eliminated Flock and other ALPRs, BUT - a city right here…Austin which terminated its contract with Flock in 2025 after community members urged their elected representatives to do so. This is something, with your help, we hope to repeat this coming week. 

Listening to this episode will give you a basic overview of this important community issue and importantly give you some upcoming events and organizations that you can tap into, right here in our communities to better education yourself and join the fight to improve our communities by resisting these abusive big tech mass surveillance tools. 

Inshallah I want this to be part one of a longer conversation I want to have on this topic. Hit me up if you have questions or comments you want to make sure I include in that follow-up.

Key links: 

• Upcoming events
  • Testify at Pflugerville City Council, Tuesday, August 11, 7PM - can sign up in-person at 1611 E Pfennig Ln Pflugerville
    • If you can’t make it in-person, email the mayor + City Council using this link: https://pflugervilletx-city-manager.form.transform.civicplus.com/45145
  • Community Summer Safety Series event is next Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 7-9PM (3701 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd). https://form.jotform.com/261935523855162 
  • Austin Flock Walk, Wed. Aug 19, 6-9PM Kind Clinic Austin — Koenig 101 W Koenig Ln Unit 100, Austin). Join the next Flock Walk where we'll be highlighting some ALPRs on a stretch of road in Austin https://www.mobilize.us/texascivilrights2/event/1002528/
• Topics referenced
  • DeFlock - org + app for tracking Flock cams in your community: https://deflock.org
  • Last Week Tonight w/John Oliver; news/comedy show episode on ALPR’s
    • “Police Surveillance Technology” August 2, 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnBPhelCdWE
• Orgs
  • Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-TX) https://cairtx.org 

Vote Ayaan Moledina for Round Rock ISD! Early voting Oct 19 - 30, election Nov 3  

Meet Ayan Moledina, a passionate young candidate for the Round Rock School Board, discussing his motivations, experiences, and strategies for advocating for an education system that works better for students, teachers, staff, and our community 

Key Topics

• Ayaan’s personal journey from student to school board candidate
• The importance of diverse representation on school boards
• Responsibilities and influence of school boards in policy-making
• Challenges faced by minority communities, including Islamophobia and religious freedoms
• The impact of federal and state legislation on local education
• How recent laws have affected mental health and diversity programs
• A call to action: ways to support local educational initiatives and candidates

Resources & Links

• Ayaan Moledina - Campaign Website
• Students Engage in Advancing Texas (SEAT)
• Rumi’s “The Guest House”

Connect with Ayaan

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Understanding Data Centers and Community Action: A Conversation with Protect Round Rock and Public Citizen

In this episode, Gary Oldham - the co-founder of community group Protect Round Rock and Adrian Shelley - Director of the public advocacy group Public Citizen, discuss the rapid proliferation of data centers in Texas, the community concerns they raise, and how citizens can get involved to influence policy and development. 

Their insights reveal the environmental, social, and political challenges posed by these facilities and highlight successful strategies for community resistance.

Topics discussed include:

• The origins and motivations behind Protect Round Rock’s opposition to data centers
• The environmental impacts, including water use, noise, and wildlife disruption
• How Texas’s regulatory environment and state policies incentivize data center expansion
• Common industry arguments versus the realities faced by communities
• Success stories from cities like San Marcos and Lockhart that have curbed or regulated data center growth
• Practical steps for residents to engage in local planning, voting, and advocacy efforts
• The role of bipartisan support in addressing this emerging issue
• Future legislative actions and mobilization strategies for community activists

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guests

02:00 - The story behind Protect Round Rock’s grassroots movement

05:00 - Key environmental concerns linked to data centers in Texas

10:00 - Industry promises versus community realities

15:00 - Texas’s favorable policies and incentives for data centers

20:00 - The influence of big tech and national security arguments in industry push

25:00 - How communities successfully fought off or regulated data centers

30:00 - The recent public hearings and community activism in Round Rock

40:00 - Practical advice for residents to get involved early in local planning processes

50:00 - Cross-party support and unifying community opposition

55:00 - Legislative efforts, advocacy tools, and upcoming hearings

60:00 - Reflections on art, community, and personal inspiration from the guests

Resources & Links:

• Protect Round Rock
  • August 15 Community Picnic
  • Facebook
• Public Citizen
  • Facebook
  • Join the Data Center Week of Action!
• Texas Data Center Rebellion

Get ready for this coming weekend's AI Summit on Sat June 20 10AM - 3PM at the Islamic Center of Brushy Creek (ICBC): 1950 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613. Register here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/icbrushycreek/2234557

To find out more about the event, I was lucky to get some time with brother Nazir, one of the key organizers of the event. I had already been excited about this event, but speaking with him got me even more fired up. The Summit includes an impressive roster of AI founders and folks from across the industry. This is intended for people with all levels of AI experience including beginners who may not know much at all, and even experts with technical backgrounds.

Close to 200 people are already registered and there is capacity for close to 500. The super reasonable 20 dollar entry fee includes a full lunch. Five hours of leading edge programming that'll include knowledge that can benefit both your professional and personal lives AND food? C'mon - what are waiting for?

Two ways you can help:

1.) Spread the word - this'll be a great event to bring the community together

2.) Sponsor the event, starting at just $250, the sponsorship levels are super reasonable and a great way to spread the word about your organization or business. Find out more here: https://texastechforge.com/sponsors

Sign up now and inshallah I'll see you there this weekend.

The conversation with Mario Garza on the Austin Business Podcast revolves around the upcoming Barrio Fest event, its background, lineup, and community impact. Come through on Friday, May 22 at 6PM at Vesper's 3106 E 14th 1/2 St, Austin, TX 78702

Takeaways

• Family-oriented community-oriented event that fosters unity and representation
• Barrio Fest is a celebration of diverse cultures and art forms

Check out the Health & Hope Iftar for Gaza at 7PM on Thursday, March 12, at 7PM at the University Presbyterian Church at: 2203 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78705. Register via this link: https://getinvolved.unrwausa.org/event/health-and-hope-iftar-for-gaza-in-austin/e773281

In this chat, we find out more about the UNRWA org, brief view over its history, and how it operates today to get cash direclty in the hands of Palaestinians in Gaza.

Mara also shares pieces of art she's found inspiring:

Movie: All That's Left of You https://allthatsleftofyou.com/

Movie: The Voice of Hind Rajab https://www.thevoiceofhindrajabfilm.com/