With a recent chronic illness diagnosis, Maryam, a cancer survivor, shares her journey towards Allah through the pain and finding her ease in her hardship

Sometimes to fight for your faith is truly a fight of survival in systems that were not designed to welcome you. In part 2 of this story, our guest Sara recounts her painful experiences of being incarcerated as a teenager in France and her reflections on what it truly means to experience ease after immense hardships. 

** Our guest’s name has been changed to maintain confidentiality. 

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Host: Cadar Mohamud 

Lead Producer: Hanna Adan 

Writer: Sara Emira

Production Manager: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Sound Designer: Youssef Douazou 

Marketing & Design Team: Sawsan Abdillahi, Wasima Farah, Khadija Musa, Mariya Shan

Cover Artist: Fatimah Nadeem

There’s no doubt that faith is a journey and fighting to protect one’s faith is an honorable struggle. But what happens when you embark on a journey without a guide - or even worse, a guide who has gone astray? 

This week’s episode sheds light on the grim reality of what happens when our vulnerable youth find comfort in the arms of strangers with ill intentions. Our guest Sara vulnerably shares her story of being groomed and radicalized in her early teens and how it turned her life upside down upside down forever. 

** Our guest’s name has been changed to maintain confidentiality. 

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Host: Cadar Mohamud 

Lead Producer: Hanna Adan 

Writer: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Production Manager: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Sound Designer: Youssef Douazou 

Marketing & Design Team: Sawsan Abdillahi, Wasima Farah, Khadija Musa, Mariya Shan

Cover Artist: Fatimah Nadeem

In this episode, we hear from Intisar, a sister who shares her personal story of faith and struggle and discusses the daily battles she encounters, trying to reconcile her emotions with her faith in Allah SWT. Her story highlights the ongoing effort to stay true to her beliefs despite inner conflicts and societal expectations.

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Come join us on a retreat this May 19-25th to Marrakech, Morocco, or May 26 - June 1 in Granada, Spain on what promises to be the journey of a lifetime. This won't just be a trip; it's a life-changing experience waiting to unfold.

Visit go.sistersgetaway.com/tds to sign up. We have limited seats available so book your trip today!

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Host: Cadar Mohamud 

Associate Producer: Khweya Bezeid

Lead Producer: Hanna Adan 

Writer: Lamisah Chowdury

Production Manager: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Sound Designer: Youssef Douazou 

Marketing & Design Team: Sawsan Abdillahi, Wasima Farah, Khadija Musa, Mariya Shan

Cover Artist: Limma Ali 

✨RESOURCE LINKS FROM INTISAR ✨

1) Brother Wahwed Jensen and his Beyond the Rainbow Podcast - for Muslims struggling and not actively practicing the lifestyle 

https://awaybeyondtherainbow.buzzsprout.com

2) https://muslimmatters.org/author/mobeenwaheed/

3) The Straight Struggle Discord group:

https://disboard.org/server/686461916939288584

4) I hope Dr Hakim is available… his website is old and he himself is sharing too so I could make a few recommendations. 

- Yaqeen institute link to that topic from a couple of years ago:

 https://youtu.be/wb_aqp3yAho?si=7lu0roc2MspKTrot

5) Hikma Healing https://www.hakimarchuletta.com

6) Muslim Somatic Therapy https://www.forwardtohealth.com/about

7) Same sex attraction Muslims community group:

https://disboard.org/server/686461916939288584

you can also email Intisar personally at, [email protected] for any questions.

thank you for listening with an open heart!

Nothing prepares you for seeing your homeland being torn apart. Sudan, a country once brimming with life, vibrant with dreams and hopes for the future of the land and the future of the people, is currently being ravaged by war and a genocide that is being ignored by the international community. The women of Sudan have risen up to lead the fight for revolution and liberation. In this episode, we hear from two such women - they are on the ground in Sudan, in the midst of war, fighting for the truth, and for their homeland.

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Our main sponsor for today is Helping Hand for Relief and Development USA, this year we focus our efforts on our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Their team on the ground is working tirelessly to ensure dedicated emergency relief for Ramadan food boxes can reach them and alleviate some small semblance of their suffering. Our hope is to raise 25,000 USD to get them the basic necessities they desperately need. 

Visit www.launchgood.com/tds4palestine and give us a hand in providing them hope this Ramadan

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Host: Cadar Mohamud 

Lead Producer: Hanna Adan 

Writers: Fareeda Baruwa and Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Production Manager: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Sound Designer: Youssef Douazou 

Marketing & Design Team: Sawsan Abdillahi, Wasima Farah, Khadija Musa, Mariya Shan

Cover Artist: Aya Mohamed

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For more information on Sudan, and how to help the Sudanese people: https://eyesonsudan.net/  

https://www.rescue.org/uk/article/fighting-sudan-what-you-need-know-about-crisis 

Key accounts to follow on instagram: yousraelbagir, bsonblast, yassmin_a, sudan.updates

It is common knowledge that France has always made it very hard for muslim women to wear the hijab, and this season of Fighting for faith would be missing something if it didn’t have our French sisters. In this episode Loubna Reguig the national president of the EMF (Etudiants Musulmans de France - the French Muslim Students association) sheds light on the challenges faced by Muslim woman who choose to wear the hijab in France and how the French authorities leverage the different principles of the republic to justify their oppressive actions. 

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Our first sponsor is LaunchGood, TDS has partnered up with LaunchGood, a platform that enables you to explore thousands of different Zakat-eligible projects, creating a personalized approach to your giving. It's like browsing through a catalog, allowing you to find causes that resonate with you and align with your values.

Each Zakat campaign is individually verified by a Zakat expert following their Zakat policy. This ensures that your contributions go to projects that truly qualify for Zakat, giving you the confidence that your Zakat is making a meaningful impact. Let's make the last 10 days of Ramadan count by fulfilling our Zakat obligations and supporting projects that can bring positive change to those in need. Visit LaunchGood.com/Zakat

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We at TDS stand firm in our commitment to fight for our Ummah, this year to turn our hearts to those engaged in a daily struggle for survival—the resilient Palestinian people.

which is why we have partnered up with Helping Hand for Relief and Development USA who have teams on the ground working tirelessly to ensure dedicated emergency relief. With us being in the last 10 days of Ramadan, let us collectively become a source of hope and solace for the Palestinian people.

Head to www.launchgood.com/tds4palestine , donate, make duaa and Keep Fighting!

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Host: Cadar Mohamud 

Associate Producer: Khweya Bezeid

Lead Producer: Hanna Adan 

Writer: Khweya Bezeid

Production Manager: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Sound Designer: Youssef Douazou 

Marketing & Design Team: Sawsan Abdillahi, Wasima Farah, Khadija Musa, Mariya Shan

Cover Artist: Sajedah Andalsi

For too long the whole world, and particularly us as Muslims, have turned a blind eye to the horrific and brutal treatment of our Uyghur brothers and sisters. We must remember them, we must say their names, we must hear their stories - so today we bring you two. Subhi and Jewher were raised miles apart, but share one homeland - East Turkestan.

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Our main sponsor for today is Helping Hand for Relief and Development USA, this year we focus our efforts on our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Their team on the ground is working tirelessly to ensure dedicated emergency relief for Ramadan food boxes can reach them and alleviate some small semblance of their suffering. Our hope is to raise 25,000 USD to get them the basic necessities they desperately need. 

Visit launchgood.com/tds4palestine and give us a hand in providing them hope this Ramadan

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Host: Cadar Mohamud 

Associate Producer: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Lead Producer: Hanna Adan 

Writer: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Production Manager: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Sound Designer: Youssef Douazou 

Marketing & Design Team: Sawsan Abdillahi, Wasima Farah, Khadija Musa, Mariya Shan

Cover Artist: Fatimah Nadeem

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Jewher has shared the links below for more information on what is happening to Uyghur muslims, please use these to help and stay informed:

https://www.allstaticandnoise.com/support - Link to film website for screenings and donations.

https://www.amazon.com/Jewher-Ilham-Uyghurs-Father-Silence/dp/1608011054?nodl=1&dplnkId=61539547-9fd6-44e6-b82f-3f133b0ec037 - Link to Jewher’s first book

https://a.co/d/iy957Fv - Link to Jewher’s second book

In the heart-wrenching backdrop of Gaza's tumultuous reality, "If I must die" unveils a deeply moving story that explores the profound impact of loss on one family's journey through grief, resilience, and the enduring power of love. At the centre of the story is Shayma, a loving daughter and sister, whose life is abruptly shattered by the indiscriminate violence that has become an all-too-familiar presence in her homeland.

This episode was recorded on the 10th of January. 

Please donate to Shayma’s GoFundMe, to help her and her family evacuate from Gaza https://t.co/1ckKD2lj1G

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Our first sponsor is LaunchGood, TDS has partnered up with LaunchGood, the largest Muslim fundraising platform globally, to make your fundraising experience even more impactful. With LaunchGood you get an opportunity to participate in daily contests where you can win donation boosts of up to $5000 a day! Imagine the incredible impact your fundraising efforts can have with this additional support. All you have to do is choose a charity or your cause you are passionate about, create your fundraising page, and use LaunchGood's daily contests to boost your donations. To learn more and get started, visit launchgood.com/startfundraising.

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We at TDS stand firm in our commitment to fight for our Ummah, this year to turn our hearts to those engaged in a daily struggle for survival—the resilient Palestinian people.

which is why we have partnered up with Helping Hand for Relief and Development USA who have teams on the ground working tirelessly to ensure dedicated emergency relief. Together, we can be a source of hope and solace for the Palestinian people.

Head to launchgood.com/tds4palestine, donate, make duaa and Keep Fighting!

– 

Host: Cadar Mohamud 

Episode Producer: Lamisah Chowdhury

Lead Producer: Hanna Adan 

Writer: Lamisah Chowdhury

Production Manager: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Sound Designer: Youssef Douazou 

Marketing & Design Team: Sawsan Abdillahi, Wasima Farah, Khadija Musa, Mariya Shan

Cover Artist: Noor V. Aerbay

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For more information on Palestine, and how to help the Palestinian people: https://yaqeeninstitute.org/tag/palestine

https://palestinecampaign.org/resources/

https://decolonizepalestine.com/

Resources for mental health: 

https://socialworklicensemap.com/blog/coping-with-secondary-trauma/

https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/your-wellbeing/vicarious-trauma/vicarious-trauma-signs-and-strategies-for-coping

https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/index.asp

https://www.ruhcare.com/directory - Find a muslim therapist

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Unlock the power of sponsorship with Digital Sisterhood! Our user-friendly tool makes it a breeze to book and feature your brand on any of our upcoming episodes. Click on the following link to find out how to https://admanager.fm/client/podcasts/tds.

We are giving you all a BONUS episode! Yes you have heard it right! We are back with S2 of 'After the Show" a SPECIAL access to behind the scenes content which includes extended interview cuts, notes from the producer and all the archival content we don't get to include in the episode! Now that you have listened to Bending the knee, we wanted you guys to get to hear Cadaar speak about her experience recording this personal episode.

“After the show” is now LIVE on iTunes and Spotify (through our patreon). Episodes will drop Tuesdays after every new episode on Friday, so go subscribe now!

Get access for free through an Apple podcast subscription or by subscribing for 1.99 USD monthly and 2 USD on Patreon monthly

LINK IS IN OUR BIO

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In this episode Cadar and Khweya delve into their podcast journey and the work that is put in the season opener. Cadar tells us more about the profound impact her friendship with Maryan has had on her life as well as the catalyst moment that pushed her to start The Digital Sisterhood. The girls also share more about imposter syndrome and the feeling of not doing enough.

Unlock the power of sponsorship with Digital Sisterhood! Our user-friendly tool makes it a breeze to book and feature your brand on any of our upcoming episodes. Click on the following link to find out how to https://admanager.fm/client/podcasts/tds.

Once again in TDS tradition, Cadar opens the season with another personal story. This time it’s a continuation of the first debut episode on TDS called “The WallFlower.'' The story takes place after she’s found a new sense of direction and faith, except now all that she believes in is put to the test. In her first year of university, Cadar learns from experience the entrenched and upheld islamophobic realities that plagues western academia. Until one day everything comes to a head, and, Cadar’s had to make choice for the sake of her academic career & future to either bend the knee or stand ten toes down in what she believes in. 

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Our first sponsor is LaunchGood, TDS has partnered up with LaunchGood to give you a chance to automate your sadaqah and give to 30 different causes around the world. aligning with the saying of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: "The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if it is small. Visit LaunchGood.com/Ramadan to sign up and join us in making a positive change this Ramadan. May your generosity be rewarded abundantly Ameen!

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For the third year in a row we have partnered up with Helping Hand for Relief and Development USA, this year we focus our efforts on our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Their team on the ground is working tirelessly to ensure dedicated emergency relief for Ramadan food boxes can reach them and alleviate some small semblance of their suffering. Visit launchgood.com/tds4palestine and give us a hand in providing them hope this Ramadan

– 

Host: Cadar Mohamud 

Episode Producer: Khweya Bezeid

Lead Producer: Hanna Adan 

Writer: Cadar Mohamud

Production Manager: Maaheen Khan-Bashir

Sound Designer: Youssef Douazou 

Marketing & Design Team: Sawsan Abdillahi, Wasima Farah, Khadija Musa, Mariya Shan

Cover Artist: Yumnah Rushdy

Unlock the power of sponsorship with Digital Sisterhood! Our user-friendly tool makes it a breeze to book and feature your brand on any of our upcoming episodes. Click on the following link to find out how to https://admanager.fm/client/podcasts/tds.