Together We Thrive

Aliyah's book, Ramadan Reflections,  has just been confirmed as a Times bestseller

She is in high demand following the official release  by her publisher,  Penguin. 

We are so grateful that she gave us some of her very precious time. 

We hear about how Aliyah grew up with a love of reading and books. We also touch on her work with convert Muslim women and the Charity she set up in 2010, Solace UK,  to deal with some of the issues and to support women in need. Through her life and particularly during last year’s Ramadan, Aliyah has prayed to God for an opportunity to write a book and we hear the wonderful story of how that prayer was answered, starting with an unusual message in her instagram DM’s. The book is the talk of the town people are already saying how much they love it and it looks set to become a big part of this Ramadan and many more ahead. 

Connect with Aliyah on Instagram here and LinkedIn here

And order copies of her book through her website or at all major bookshops and online:

https://www.aliyahummraiyaan.com/

Our conversation today is with Akeela Ahmed.

In it, we hear her talk about the important work she does with government, in the various charities she is connected to and how she shows up to be a voice for those who otherwise would not be heard or included. 

Akeela opens up about experiences of racism and prejudice in her childhood which she has only recently realised have shaped who she is today. 

Growing up alongside her hard working, immigrant parents in many different parts of the country has given Akeela insights into how different people live their lives and the struggles and challenges they face. 

We hope this conversation will encourage people to reflect on contribution, what that can look like and the important parts we can all play in shaping the world to be a better place. 

We thank Akeela for being the person she is, standing up with integrity and working so hard for social justice and equality for all. 

Find out more about She Speaks We Hear: 

Website

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And find Akeela online including on LinkedIn and on her website

Our conversation today is with Samina Hussain. .

Born and brought up in Slough, Samina takes us back to her childhood sharing fond memories and then helps us look into the window of her world working for the Local Authority, empowering women and working to support migrants and refugees.  She married at 16 and she shares some of how her early experiences shaped who she is today. 

Then in August 2014, Samina found a lump in her breast and was told she had cancer. 

She talks powerfully about those early days, how she processed it, how others around her did too and the role her Islamic faith played in all of that. 

She used social media as part of her coping strategy and has gone on to set up a charity, Sakoon Through Cancer, supporting particularly South Asian women to navigate their cancer journeys through the stigma, shame and taboos that often surround the topic in some communities and families. 

Her optimism and positivity is infectious, she inspires anyone who hears her talk about her life and this journey with cancer and she absolutely lives out her favourite saying “It’s not about waiting for the storm to pass…. it’s about learning to dance in the rain”.  

With subjects like cancer, people can feel alone and not know who to turn to.  Thank you to Samina and her team of awesome volunteers for all they do to make sure people know they are never alone and that it is OK not to be OK. 

To find out more about Sakoon Through Cancer visit their website or social media channels. 

Connect with them if you can volunteer or support them in any other ways.  

Sakoon Website

Sakoon Facebook page

Sakoon Instagram

Recorded in January 2023

In this episode we hear from Zainab (not her real name) who bravely speaks about the abuse she suffered by her now ex husband.  We talk about patterns to look out for, why Muslim communities are seeing more of this being talked about and lots of tips and words of advice from Zainab to help others.  And yes, this is also a story of hope, of light at the end of the tunnel. 

If you or anyone you know needs help and support because of suffering abuse or violence please consider some of the organisations below. They are there for everybody. 

And following Zainab’s advice, write down what is happening to you, keep a diary or a record of when and what happens. Dates. Times. Triggers. Things that were said. It is a really tough thing to do but can be so useful in helping you see it all more clearly and for if you need to explain it to others any time in the future. 

Find your own support among family, friends, people you can trust.

Always have a safety plan in mind. Where can you go? Who can give you help?

You are not alone. Reach out. 

Zainab is helping us start a whole series of conversations about issues of abuse. Her story and that of others will all be collated here over the coming months:

https://togetherwethrive.co.uk/abuse-and-domestic-violence

Nour

https://www.nour-dv.org.uk/

Nour is an Arabic word meaning ‘light’ and Nour exists as a healing light for sufferers of abuse and trauma. Nour was founded by women from minoritised backgrounds, in recognition that assumptions made about who experiences abuse and the narratives around domestic abuse in minoritised communities are impacting the ability of survivors to come forward and access support.

NHS signposting for help and support: 

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/

Women’s Aid

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/

National Helpline 24/7 - Tel: 0808 2000 247

https://www.nationaldahelpline.o

This conversation is with Farah Halabi. 

Farah is a mum of four, a life-coach, a successful business woman and at the heart of all of that……Farah is an Essex girl. 

Born and brought up there, we will hear how her background and cultural connections shaped her upbringing and how that is linked to her own children and their approach to life now in the same area. 

Farah will share her reflections on what recurring issues she comes across while working with  women as her coaching clients. Linking back to Farah’s cabin crew days at British Airways, we discuss the necessary approach of putting our own mask on before we help others. 

We also talk about ways that women can learn to not be so harsh on themselves and some ideas of how we might approach the new year and Ramadan.  

Recorded in January 2023

To find out more about Farah’s work and to connect with her, please go to the links below: 

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

Bismillahir rahmanir raheem.

We begin in the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.....

Get some insight into why and how we started the podcast, our ideas for how it will run, some of the themes we will be covering and join us as we begin this exciting journey, together.