This show is made possible by you! Thank you for your continued support! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate Dangerous stereotypes around Muslim Americans persist, with very real consequences for Muslim people and American democracy at large. Even in Congress, Muslim Representatives like Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Keith Ellison have faced vilification. But are we witnessing a shift? This year, the United Nations celebrated the first-ever International Day to Combat Islamophobia and Minneapolis became the first major city in the nation to start public broadcast of the Islamic call to prayer five times a day. Joining Laura for this “Meet the BIPOC Press” conversation are Hibah Ansari, a reporter from the Sahan Journal, that is dedicated to reporting on communities of color in Minnesota, and Dalia Mogahed, a leading researcher at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding in Washington, DC. Our cohost is Mitra Kalita of Epicenter-NYC, who with Sara Lomax is the co-founder of URL Media, a network of independently owned and operated Black and Brown media outlets. What happens when Muslim Americans themselves take on the task of reporting on their communities? Guests: Hibah Ansari: Reporter, Sahan Journal S. Mitra Kalita: Co-Founder, URL Media Dalia Mogahed: Director of Research, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) Episode Keywords: Muslim Americans, Stereotypes, Misconceptions, Civic Engagement, Political Leadership, Black Community, Law Enforcement, Surveillance, Mainstreaming Muslims, Muslim Co-Builders, American History, Mutual Aid, Joy, Entertainment, Voting Habits, Politicians, Muslim Community, Diversity, Good Reporting, URL Media Network
This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you for your continued support!
What does it mean to be a Muslim American in a society plagued by dangerous stereotypes and misconceptions? Hiba Ansari and Daria Mogahed share their insights on the challenges faced by this diverse community, highlighting the importance of good reporting, recognizing their contributions to America's history, and drawing parallels with the experiences of the Black community.
Listen in as Laura Flanders along with Dalia Mogahed, Director of Research, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) and fellow journalists S. Mitra Kalita and Dalia Mogahed from the URL Media Network discuss the Muslim community's role in America as co-builders, emphasizing the importance of centering joy and entertainment as well as engaging in civic activities. Explore the multifaceted world of Muslim Americans, their contributions, and aspirations, as our panelists stress the need for politicians to engage with them and never take their vote for granted.
"I grew up immediately post 9/11 in an Internet world where oftentimes the only people I was seeing on TV that might have looked a little bit like me or people in my family were usually victims of war . . . And that can perpetuate really harmful stereotypes, about Muslim women especially." - Hibah Ansari
"I've been covering the Muslim community in New York City pretty much since after 9/11. This has been my whole trajectory for my career. But I have never seen a moment like this." - Mitra Kalita
“Why would you wait for someone to welcome you in your own home? If we don't feel like this is ours and ours to build and ours to fight for, we will never be truly equal in this country.” - Dalia Mogahed
Guests:
S. Mitra Kalita: Co-Founder, URL Media
Hibah Ansari: Reporter, Sahan Journal
Dalia Mogahed: Director of Research, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU)
Full Show Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more to dive deeper.
Music In the Middle: The Jimpster remix of “Mba-Mba” by Sid Vaga & Nickodemus featuring Beni-Fadi , courtesy of Turntables on the Hudson Music. Additional music, 'Steppin' by Podington Bear.
Chapters:
(0:00:03) - Challenging Stereotypes of Muslim Americans
(0:14:38) - Muslim Co-Builders
Chapter Summaries:
(0:00:03) - Challenging Stereotypes of Muslim Americans (15 Minutes)
Challenges faced by Muslim Americans due to dangerous stereotypes and misconceptions are discussed, highlighting the diversity within the Muslim community and the need for good reporting to challenge stereotypes. The conversation explores Muslim Americans' civic engagement and political leadership strides, as well as the similarities between their experiences and those of the Black community, particularly regarding law enforcement and surveillance. The discussion concludes with the mainstreaming of Muslims, including a recent Minneapolis City Council ordinance allowing public broadcast of the Islamic call to prayer five times a day.
(0:14:38) - Muslim Co-Builders (16 Minutes)
The Muslim community's role in America includes being co-builders and recognizing their contributions to the country's history. Mutual aid is a critical part of the Muslim community, as is centering joy and entertainment. The diverse community's voting habits indicate that politicians should engage with them and not take their votes for granted.
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