Think Like A Lady Podcast

Have you ever questioned what Muslim unity looks like? Do we truly have an ummah today despite living in a post modern era that is lacking of any structure or organization that would define an ummah? From a global scale in which Muslim nations have turned their backs on each other to our daily microcosmic lives, Dua and Afroze discuss the challenges Muslims face in remaining unified. From discussing solutions that involve supporting Muslim led business and initiatives to boycotting the corporations that hurt Muslims, to the elements of Islam that unite us all, we delve deep into the economic and cultural problems that led to Muslims becoming less unified. What does Muslim unity look like to you? 

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Kamala Harris has achieved the vice presidency as not only the first woman, but as a woman of color from Indian and Jamaican descent. In terms of identity politics, many people finally felt represented in the vice presidency, hoping that a woman of her background would benefit communities of color, women, and therefor reflect the constituency and their needs.  

However, Due and Afroze discuss a deeper side of identity politics. When identity politics goes too far in that it begins to override Harris’ record and the harm she brings to the office. When identity politics overrides substance, we enter a very dangerous territory. We ask our listeners, what good is a woman, and a person of color occupying the second office in the country if the way she got there involved stepping on the very communities in which she came from. Due and Afroze delve deep into her record, from when she disproportionately targeted communities of color during her time as district attorney of San Francisco through the anti-truancy program and her office soaringly prosecuting marijuana convictions. 

If you had to choose between a standard white male with a record of compassion versus a woman of color with a track record riled in corruption. Which would you choose? 

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*Trigger Warning: sensitive content below

Have you heard the phrase “Believe all women”? Well there’s a deeper meaning to be had about the logic this phrase offers. Have you ever wondered what the investigative process looks like when several parties come forward with an allegation against an individual? This episode, Afroze sits down with Sara Bawany (@sara.bawany ) a licensed social worker from FACE, an organization designed to tackle abuse in community environments. FACE recently published an investigative report against Mohamed Ali Mohamed Egeesa, otherwise known as Sheikh Abo Ras, a well known community leader in the town of Windsor, Ontario in Canada. Afroze and Sara discuss the specific allegations in this case and the evidence FACE used to substantiate the allegations. From allegations of clergy misconduct, marriage fraud and takhbib (an Arabic term that refers tp the act of convincing, incentivizing, pressuring, manipulating, or persuading a person to divorce their spouse with an ulterior motive and/or malice that is usually personally beneficial to the one doing the convincing), to allegations of blackmail and workplace misconduct. 

We discuss how an organization such as FACE has made it their mission to foster safe community environments by holding abusive religious and community leadership accountable. You can visit their website to access their database of released investigative reports of community abuse, or to report abuse. To learn more about FACE go to www.Facetogether.org or visit their IG @facingabuse

Due wasn't able to join us this week but will be back with us for next weeks episode. 

As America shifts away from a democracy into a corporate plutocratic oligarchy, minorities lose more and more weight in the election process. As Muslims make up less than 1% of the US population, what are the issues that inform our votes? Afroze and Dua dive to the depths of how the American Overton window has shifted so far to the right, that in any other country Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders would not be in the same party. In fact, Trump and Biden would likely be in a Conservative party together. Afroze discusses how conceptually Islam is more progressive and socialist in nature than what we believe, and how these guiding principles inform our vote. What coalition do American Muslims ought to join In order to expand the electorate and tug the Democratic Party back to the left and dismantle the American corporateracy; which by in part is supported by Citizens United and the advent of the Electoral College that tends to dilute the minority vote. Dua and Afroze discuss the origins of the electoral college being rooted in slavery and upholding minority rule in America. Learn more about what matters to the Muslim voter.

S1E12: Anti-Muslim Sentiment in the West 

Recently anti-Muslim sentiment has been on the rise in France and much of the west. But where did this sentiment come from? What specific occurrence in both the dark ages and modern history of the western world contributed to the Islamaphobia we see today? In this episode Dua and Afroze discuss the intricacies of anti Muslim sentiments, it’s origins, the agenda of such a sentiment and the recent events of violence in France.

Join us this Thursday when our new episode drops! (Link in bio) 

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Women have dominated the workforce in many ways. On average women obtain bachelors, masters and doctorates at a higher rate than men do. Women now dominate the workforce both in professional careers, and in essential careers. Women have proven to be a resource that was untapped for so long and we can all acknowledge that based on the barriers women have been breaking, the future is indeed female. However, we still have bigger hurdles to jump over than men. 

Dua and Afroze discuss the obstacles women face in the workplace in depth, from the interview process, to being a female boss to what Islam says about women striving for successful careers.

S1E10: Systemic Patriarchy in the Beauty Industry

We know that the beauty, fashion and cosmetic industry have largely defined what physical femininity looks like. 50 years ago male execs decided that the voluptuous woman like Marilyn Monroe was beautiful. Today, they’ll have you thinking that a petite woman with a big chest and glutes is what looks attractive. This male ideation of female beauty rejects biology, anatomical proportionality and psychology. If the preference is that a woman ought to be curvy with a chest and bottom, well she won’t be thin. At the same time, the preference also exists for her to be thin, well then she won’t be curvy. For far too long female beauty has been dictated by male ideation of physical beauty, it’s time that it’s dictated by women’s exhibition of realism for the sake of a woman’s internal satisfaction and happiness.

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Have you ever been on a date and noticed a few red flags that you really wanted to ignore? Maybe he referred to his ex as a “psycho bitch” or he explains his sexist concept gender roles. He doesn’t want to tell you if he’s talking to other people but he wants to make sure he’s the only one you’re talking to. Dua and Afroze talk about many of these red flags, what they mean and trusting your gut.

What if we told you that children’s shows aren’t as innocent as you think. What if we told you that they’re contributing to a larger phenomenon called the Lolita Effect. Recently the French film “Cuties” was released on Netflix that sparked global outrage from parents of all walks of life. However, we enlighten our listeners that such a film is only a brazen example of the sexualization of children and young girls. It’s been happening much more subtly in the TV shows and other media young girls consume. And while the film withheld the intention to bring awareness to the issue, it seemed that it only ended further perpetuating the problem. Join Dua and Afroze as they discuss the social impact of the Lolita Effect and how the concerns of Muslim parents that are raising children in a world in which they’re losing grip over what their children are exposed to.

New episode drops Thursday. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Pandora and more. 

Dua and Afroze discuss that all children are a blessing no matter how they are brought into this world. Complex ideas are explored that run parallel to each other but in opposite directions. Just as we’re told to avoid sin, we’re also taught that we’re guaranteed we’re going to commit them (both on a big and small scale). Just as intimacy outside of marriage is forbidden, a child as a result of that sin is still a blessing. Two counter-intuitive notions that run parallel to one another but in opposite directions... because we know morality and ethics don’t always coincide and that this life is complex. 

We discuss several aspects of this complex topic 

1. Ramifications for men vs women when children are born our of wedlock 
2. Positive Islamic point of view (All children were meant to be born, even through sin) 
3. Ramifications for the child itself in Islamic society versus all societies
4. Mental Health impact on children who grow up without a father in the picture