Forgotten Feminists

Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa) and is based in Los Angeles, California. An activist and content creator of Iranian Jewish heritage, Matthew is dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, promoting equality within the Iranian and Jewish communities, combating antisemitism, and supporting the Women Life Freedom movement for a free Iran.Matthew actively works to expose the hypocrisy within the anti-Israel movement and to counter claims of pinkwashing, especially following the events of October 7. In recognition of his impactful work, Matthew received the TrailBlazer Award at the 2021 JQ International annual Impact Awards. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewnouriel/Twitter/X: https://x.com/MatthewNouriel

Samer joined the Fatah party in Palestine at the early age of 14 during the first Intifada. At the age of 15, he was arrested and had to spend 5 years in jail in Israel. After his prison sentence, Samer was elected as international secretary for the Fatah Youth. He was later elected as a head of International and Israeli relations on the Fatah Supreme Committee. For over 35 years, Samer has worked tirelessly to build bridges, engage in dialogue, and fight for a future where Israelis and Palestinians recognize each other's humanity. Samer hopes to end suffering as a political weapon to spread the courage to feel each other's pain and to find a path to lasting peace for both Israel and Palestine.Twitter: https://x.com/SSinijlawiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ssinijlawi/

As the Druze are experiencing a devastating attack which mirrors October 7 in many aspects, Rania Dean, who is a member of the Druze community, is coming back to discuss the recent attacks. Her family have had deep roots in the area for generations and embody the Arab and Jewish experience, understanding both languages and cultures while maintaining an independent ethnic and religious Druze identity. Rania will join us to help us understand what is happening to the Druze and why.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raniafadeldean/

Richard Grannon, author of A Cult of One: How to Deprogram Yourself from Narcissistic Abuse, creator of online courses and facilitator of a supportive community all focused on helping others defend themselves, get back on their feet, and finally free themselves from narcissistic abuse. Drawing on numerous forms of psychotherapy, including NLP, cognitive behavioural therapy, Zen meditation, psychodynamics, and more, Grannon's unique methodology offers a direct, practical solution to help narcissistic abuse victims reclaim their self-worth.X: https://x.com/GrannonRichardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/richard.grannon/YouTube: https://youtu.be/UTkSwoJxrKE?si=mnjR6sQW4qEOyxhRWebsite: https://www.richardgrannon.com

Mün is a Syrian refugee, an ex-muslim and a future special education teacher. She is a survivor of domestic violence, child sexual abuse, and rape. Mün happens to fall into the small percentage of statistics where all her abusers have always been women. Mün's name is inspired by the great moon. She chose it 5 years ago, when she decided to cut ties with her family and forge a new free life that she gets to architect.Instagram: me.lo.piensoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mun.xvii.

Kyai (Shaykh) Paul Salahuddin Armstrong is a British Muslim leader, multifaith advocate, and public speaker committed to fostering understanding, unity, and positive change in society. In 1998, his personal quest for meaning led him to explore various faith traditions, culminating in his decision to embrace Islam on 1st March 2000. His affiliation with the Naqshbandi Sufi Tariqah (Sufi order) and Nahdlatul Ulama reflects Paul's holistic approach to faith, which encourages intellectual inquiry, spiritual reflection, and active engagement in society. In his roles as an imam and murshid, he has served British and international Muslim communities for over 15 years, advocating for a balanced and inclusive approach to Islam. Paul is the Managing Director (Amir) of the Association of British Muslims, the UK's oldest Muslim organization.

Siti Faridah Hashim is a victim and survivor of Malaysia's radical Islamic ideology and the people who perpetuate it. After growing up in the harsh climate of fundamental Islam, she moved to Australia in 1991 to start a new and better life. She is a loving mother of three and enjoys gardening, shopping and reading. Siti joins us with her daughter Patricia Jordan to discuss their journey to freedom together. Patricia is currently a PhD Law Candidate and casual academic in Sydney. Pat is an Australian qualified lawyer of the Supreme Court of NSW in Australia and an Honours Graduate of the University of Sydney and Macquarie Law School. She also has a liberal arts background, majoring in English literature. Pat's social media content and writing focuses on animal rights, free speech, and defending western values. Substack: https://patricianonis.substack.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@THATVEGANLAWYER  X: https://x.com/_PatJordan_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patjordan__/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Patricia.Nonis/

Layla Alsheikh is a Palestinian mother whose 6-month-old son Qusay became sick due to Israeli soldiers throwing tear gas in the village. When Layla tried to take him to the hospital, the Israeli soldiers prevented her family and delayed their arrival to the hospital for more than 4 hours. Layla's son passed away that night and Layla lived with her grief and anger for more than a decade. Layla started her healing process by joining The Parents Circle Family Forum, a nonprofit of over 600 bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families. She started her peace advocacy shortly after. She lectures around the world, hoping to humanize the Palestinian plight and stopping the cycle of violence.

Mark Vicente is an NXIVM cult whistleblower and survivor, an author, speaker, and award-winning Writer, Director and Producer from Johannesburg, South Africa. Because of the atrocities in his native South Africa, he found himself propelled to question certain fundamental assumptions at a very young age. Mark has developed a keen and passionate interest in exposing the coercive and duplicitous environments of high-control groups. He is currently in post-production on ‘Empathy Not Included' (The Narcissist's Playbook) a feature-length documentary exploring one of the most pervasive and often misunderstood mental pathologies in our culture: Narcissism. Shot in seven countries and viewed through the lens of four self-confessed, self-aware malignant narcissists who openly share the secrets of how they operate with uncensored candor, the film follows their disturbing stories, juxtaposed with the growing body of wisdom from victims, survivors, scientists, and mental health professionals.

Fadi Al-Waheed was born in Dammam, Saudi Arabia in the 80s to Palestinian parents. Fadi is a pacifist and an animal lover. His childhood was anything but nostalgic as he was force-fed the five Islamic books as doctrine. During university in Jordan, a friend's admission of atheism ignited something in Fadi, leading him to quietly leave the faith at 21, all under the shadow of apostasy laws. Losing his mother in 2012 became a turning point; Fadi stopped apologizing for who he was and gave up trying to please everyone. Years later, he met his British partner in Qatar, and together they've made their way to the UK where they live together with their dogs now, a life he once only dreamed of.

Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll is an American-Israeli writer and an activist. As cofounder of Chochmat Nashim (Hebrew for Women's Wisdom) she fights extremism in the Orthodox community and raises the voices & faces of women. With a stock photobank (Jewishlifephotos.com) of real Orthodox Jewish women and families, she fights the erasure of women's images, and via RateMyBeitDin.com she gives voice to the community to improve the rabbinic court system where too many women find themselves chained to dead marriages.Her work can be found in the Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, UK Jewish Chronicle, and more where she writes about women's issues and Israel. Follow Shoshanna on X @skjask and on Instagram @shoshanna_keats_jaskoll

Moomen Sallam, a former leader in the Muslim Brotherhood chapter in Egypt, will join me to discuss how the Brotherhood operates both in Egypt and on a global scale in Europe and North America. We will also discuss Egypt's role in the war in Gaza and the current chaos in Syria.Moomen is a leading voice amongst freethinkers in Egypt and the author of several articles and books including, ABC Secularism and ABC Liberalism and co-author of Egypt and Israel: Forty Years in the Desert of Cold Peace.

Dr. Phyllis Chesler is an Emerita Professor of Psychology and Women's Studies, a best-selling author, a legendary feminist leader, and a retired psychotherapist. Some of her most influential books are Women and Madness, Letters to a Young Feminist, Woman's Inhumanity to Woman, An American Bride in Kabul, Islamic Gender Apartheid: Exposing a Veiled War Against Women.Since 9/11, Dr. Chesler has focused on the rights of women, dissidents, and gays in the Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities; the rise of antisemitism/anti-Zionism, the demonization of Israel, the nature of terrorism, forced veiling, forced marriage, polygamy, and tribal psychology. Based on her four academic studies about honor killing, she has submitted affidavits for Muslim and ex-Muslim women who are seeking asylum or citizenship based on their credible belief that their families will honor kill them. In 2021-2022, Dr. Chesler co-led a team which rescued 400 women from Afghanistan. That work continues.

Mina (pseudonym) is a former medical student from Afghanistan who was in her second year of university when the Taliban stripped her of the opportunity to pursue her education and career in medicine. She joins us for a special episode from inside Afghanistan to shed light on the dire reality for women under Taliban rule and the gender apartheid that governs their lives while the world watches.Tune in to hear Mina's powerful story, gain insight into the experiences of Afghan women, and learn how you can help.Please note: Mina's identity is concealed, and she covers her face to protect herself from Taliban retaliation.

Yael grew up in Israel's first kibbutz – Degania – with a secular mother and a traditional Moroccan father. When she was younger, she thought she was volunteering for a non-profit in Jerusalem, but it turned out to be a cult. Today, Yael is a Hebrew tutor and translator by day, musician by night, and a volunteer at The Feminist Library in Florence, Italy. She also writes for the Israeli magazine, Politically Corret (“corret” in Hebrew means “she reads”).Follow Yael on yaelfine_ (Twitter), and yael.hebrew (Instagram)

In this episode with Dr. Babb, we discuss how all the antisemitic issues erupting in Canada are impacting politics, the education system, and the world. There is something rotten in the state of Canada and we are going to address that.Dr. Casey Babb is a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a fellow with the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, an associate fellow with the Royal United Services Institute in London, and an adviser with Secure Canada in Toronto.

Author of A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot' s Fight to Save His Faith, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D. is a former Lieutenant Commander of the U.S. Navy, Founder and President of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD), and Co-Founder of the Muslim Reform Movement.A first generation American Muslim, Dr. Jasser's parents fled the oppressive Baath regime of Syria in the mid-1960s for American freedom. A devout Muslim, he and his family have strong ties to the American Muslim community having helped lead mosques in Wisconsin, Arkansas, Virginia and Arizona.He is also co-Director, with me, of the CLARITy Coalition- a global coalition with the goal of defending the west from Islamists who are intent on undermining and dismantling liberal democracy. He the Join me and Zuhdi to discuss the ongoing chaos in Syria- what is next now that the brutal Assad regime has been toppled? Will Syrians finally be free from famine, torture, and war? Or will jihadis fill the power vacuum with yet another terrorist regime? What does this mean for Russia, Iran, Israel and the rest of the region and the world?

Luke Stacey grew up in a British Israelite cult in Australia until he was 10 .. He then attended a Christian high school where he experienced religious indoctrination, insinuations of gay conversation ideology, and was surrounded by extremely homophobic Christian culture. Later in life he moved into a Muslim majority Australian suburb with his partner, house mate and two dogs. Over several years he saw, heard and learnt many things which made him question the good nature of yet another religious ideology.

An Egyptian-Iraqi Jew, Rachel Wahba was born in India and grew up stateless in Japan. As a Mizrahi Jew and Zionist activist the many dimensions of her exile and displacement in the first twenty years of her life are a constant theme in her work as a writer, content creator, former psychotherapist and her advocacy as an advisory board member for JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa). She is also the co-founder of Olivia Travel, a company dedicated to curating travel experiences for lesbian and queer women for the past 35 years.

Karen Hunt is a full contact boxer who started the first and only boxing club for girls in Luxor, Egypt. She will be joining us to speak about her experience living in Egypt and why she was eventually forced to escape the country under dangerous circumstances.

Mohamad Ghaoui is a Palestinian-Lebanese man who grew up religious and worked with the PLO/PA in the 2000s. Mohamad is deeply committed to resolving the refugees and right of return issues, believing that its resolution is essential for overcoming barriers and paving the path to lasting peace.He actively opposes the Lebanese ban on communication with Israelis, which hinders progress towards understanding and reconciliation. Mohamad speaks up in support of decriminalizing dialogue with Lebanon's neighbors.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1969. As she grew up, she embraced Islam and strove to live as a devout Muslim. In 1992, Hirsi Ali fled to the Netherlands to escape a forced marriage. There she was given asylum, and in time citizenship. She quickly learned Dutch and was able to study at the University of Leiden.From 2003 to 2006, Hirsi Ali served as an elected member of the Dutch parliament. She then moved to the US, and in 2007 founded the AHA Foundation to protect and defend the rights of women in the US from harmful traditional practices.Hirsi Ali is a Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, the Founder of the AHA Foundation, a Senior Fellow with the Future of Diplomacy Project at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at The Harvard Kennedy School, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Founder of Restorationbulletin.com, where she explores the forces of subversion plaguing Western society. She is the best-selling author of Infidel (2007) and Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now (2015).

Rania Dean is a Druze Israeli  who embodies the Arab and Jewish experience, understanding both languages and cultures while maintaining an independent ethnic and religious Druze identity. This unique perspective allows her to view both sides objectively, tirelessly working to dispel falsehoods and promote the truth about her country.Rania's advocacy took on renewed vigor on October 7th, driven by a resolute determination to counteract misinformation about Israel.Donate to the Druze of Majdal Shams: https://causematch.com/maman/hopefordruzecommunity/

Dr. Florence Bergeaud-Blackler is a distinguished academic and researcher who specializes in the study of Islamic norms within secular contexts in Europe, like the role of the economy in shaping religious norms and the development of halal ecosystems.Florence has written about the processes of Salafi indoctrination, considering both its fundamentalist and political dimensions, and how it interacts with the neo-liberal and post-modern political spheres.

Mansour Al-Hadj was born and raised in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and immigrated to the US in 2005. He has a degree in Sharia and Islamic Studies from The International University of Africa in Khartoum, Sudan. Mansour has first-hand experience with radicalization tactics used to recruit and mobilize Muslims worldwide. His research and writings in Arabic and English have focused on understanding the root causes of violent extremism in Arab and Muslim lands. Mansour is the Director of the Reform Project at the Middle East Media and Research Institute (MEMRI) and a founding member of Clarity Coalition and has testified before the US Congress on the development of strategies to counter jihadist websites.

Adam Elmasri is an Australian Egyptian free thinker, human rights activist, author, and content creator. Adam was born in Cairo and grew up in Egypt as an orthodox Coptic Christian. He is a strong religious critic whose viewpoints are based on academic studies and as a supporter of the LGBT and women's rights in the Middle East. Adam has written two books, How did Christianity begin, REALLY? and Wounded by  Faith.

Enas was forcibly taken to Gaza to be married off to a family member chosen by her father. She joins us in this episode to share that experience, as well as her time living in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Egypt. With roots in Palestine and having lived in several Arab and Muslim countries, Enas offers a wealth of knowledge, insights, and firsthand experiences about the region—and the current war in Gaza.

Deep Halder is an Indian journalist, author, and editor with a career spanning more than two decades in the media industry. He has worked with leading Indian publications such as India Today and India Today Group Online, covering various topics including politics, society, and culture. Halder is known for his writing on socio-political issues, particularly focusing on marginalized communities in India.One of his notable works is the book Blood Island: An Oral History of the Marichjhapi Massacre, which explores the mass killing of Bengali refugees in the Sundarbans in 1979. Through his investigative work and storytelling, Halder sheds light on forgotten or overlooked events in India's history, bringing attention to stories of suffering, resistance, and resilience. His work often highlights issues of displacement, migration, and injustice.Follow Deep Halder on X: @deepscribble

Isaac Yomtovian, originally known as Es'hagh Pesare' Ebram Johood, traces his Persian roots back 2,500 years.He was born in Tehran near the Marble Palace of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. He immigrated to Israel, where he volunteered in the 1967 Six-Day War and earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the Technion.In 1971, Yomtovian moved to the US, obtaining a Master of Science from the University of Nebraska, and conducting post-graduate work at Cornell University. He later founded EnviroScience, an engineering firm in Minneapolis, before relocating to Cleveland, where he earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve University.Yomtovian is a prominent real estate developer in New York and Ohio and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. He is also a passionate educator on Iranian history and culture, speaking at synagogues, churches, and universities worldwide on topics ranging from the Persian Empire to the modern Islamic Republic.

David Bernstein is a prominent law professor with expertise in constitutional law, civil rights, and legal history. He has authored influential books and articles on topics such as free speech, government regulation, and the protection of civil liberties. Known for his ability to bridge legal theory and practical application, Professor Bernstein is a vocal advocate for individual rights and the fair application of the law. In addition to his academic contributions, he frequently provides expert commentary on legal issues in the media and serves as a consultant on significant cases. Committed to education, Professor Bernstein mentors and inspires future lawyers, fostering critical thinking and a deep understanding of the law. His work continues to shape important legal discussions and advance justice.

Yirmiyahu Danzig is a content creator and digital educator specializing in Jewish diversity, history, and identity. His family has lived in Israel for nine generations, countering the narrative that Jews are colonizers in their own land. With roots in both the Old Yishuv of Jerusalem and the Caribbean, Yirmiyahu's unique heritage informs his social media activism, where he uses English, Hebrew, and Arabic to connect with diverse audiences.Inspired by his ancestors who lived in the Old City of Jerusalem and survived the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, Yirmiyahu is a dedicated educator-activist. He speaks  on Jewish identity, diversity, and antisemitism all over the world, and founded Shachar, a community for Caribbean, African American, and West African Israeli Jews.On Instagram, Yirmiyahu shares his insights under the handle @thatsemite, focusing on  equity in Israel, racial justice, and Jewish liberation. His content resonates with young people interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jezebel, an ex-Jehovah's Witness and Doomsday Cult survivor, spent over 20 years in the organization, enduring intense indoctrination, mind control, and emotional and mental abuse. Her experiences, including severe anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, are chronicled in two books written under her pen name.A lifelong historian and pro-freedom activist, Jezebel advocates for trauma survivorship and the sacredness of individual sovereignty. She promotes positive survivor mentality, emphasizing inner strength and gratitude, and educates others about the dangers of childhood indoctrination, mind control, deceptive propaganda, weaponized language, censorship, and totalitarianism.Through her work, Jezebel aims to raise awareness and ensure that others know they are not alone in their struggles.

Social media sensation, Ashley Waxman Bakshi is an entrepreneur, content creator, TV host, and activist. Following the kidnapping of her cousin, Agam Berger, by Hamas on October 7th, Ashley has been dedicated to advocating for the release of Israeli hostages. She collaborates with the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and has met with world leaders to push for sanctions against the IRGC and entities supporting Palestinian terrorist organizations in Canada and the European Union.Known for her platform "Girl Abroad," Ashley is a 38-year-old Canadian beauty and lifestyle content creator who moved to Israel at 21 after volunteering and falling in love with the country and an Israeli. 

Richardis is a German feminist who became an activist after experiencing stalking at the hands of an abusive man who kept using his status as a Muslim migrant to try and reverse victim and offender. She also had to witness a friend fall victim to a Muslim grooming gang  as an underage girl. Today, she's part of a wider movement that fights violence against women and girls and vehemently opposes trivializing honor violence, the Islamic veil, FGM etc. She experiences the atmosphere in Germany in regards to discussing these matters as stifling as cultural relativism and accusations of racism are used to shut women down. This is her first time speaking publicly after years of fear of retaliation from her stalker and the wider culture, as well as overcoming doubts whether her story even matters. 

Yasmine is first generation Israeli-American wife and mother, who has used her passion for Jewish history and representation to create and foster a community using her online work and advocacy, since 2016.Yasmines paternal Saba fled Aleppo at age 13, where he and his family had lived for hundreds and hundreds of years, as antisemitism became increasingly violent. Her Saba was rescued by the first Youth Aliyah group along with other children from Lebanon in 1943. He had to leave behind his mother as she was blind and unable to make the trip safely. He served in the Haganah, fighting both in the War of Independence and the 6 day war. He later served as a policeman who guarded the home of the first Israeli Prime Minister Ben Gurion. These stories, that are sadly not uncommon, but are lesser known within the community, sparked Yasmine's passion for Jewish storytelling and Jewish pride.

Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company. Dr. Wilf has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge. She was the Goldman Visiting Professor at Georgetown University. Dr. Wilf is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society. “We Should All Be Zionists“, published in 2022, brings together her essays from the past four years on Israel, Zionism and the path to peace; the co-authored “The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace”, was published in 2020.

Born into a Muslim-Jewish family in Morocco, Chama Metchaly has dedicated her career to creating safe spaces for dialogue and bridging the gaps between Muslim and Jewish narratives, as well as Eastern and Western values. Since the advent of the Abraham Accords, Mechtaly has advised numerous governmental and nongovernmental organizations on regional integration and Israeli-Arab relations. Based in New York and Dubai, her work has been featured in international media, including a feature documentary film by Asharq News. As a visual artist, she has exhibited her work in four continents, including twice at the Jerusalem Biennale. Mechtaly is currently a WIn fellow and an Executive Leadership Program participant at Atlantic Council as well as a convener at the Israel Policy Forum. In 2023, she was recognized in the Middle East Policy Council's 40 under 40 list. She is the co-founder of the Emma Lazarus Institute for Liberty and Tolerance, where she bridges the gaps between the Democratic West and the Moderate East. She is a policy advisor, entrepreneur, activist, artist and speaker, known for her intersectional and interdisciplinary approach to peacebuilding, Jewish inclusion, and Arab-Israeli integration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. 

At the age of 11, Uthman enrolled in an Islamic boarding school and graduated as an Islamic scholar. With over 20 years of experience as an Imam, he has dedicated his life to exploring and understanding religious dynamics. He holds a Master of Arts in Muslim-Christian Relations from Hartford International University and is currently a PhD student in anthropology, focusing on Coptic Christianity. Uthman's research is a deep dive into the intricate relationship between religion and cultural identity, with a special focus on the Coptic Christian community in North America. His work is not just informed by a rich background in interfaith dialogue, but also by his personal journey that encompasses both Islamic and Christian traditions. His research interests span themes of indigeneity, migration, and the impact of conservative beliefs on religious minorities, making his work highly relevant and insightful. In addition to his academic pursuits, Uthman has been actively involved in community service, providing support and guidance to individuals navigating religious trauma and identity crises. His unique journey through different facets of faith and academia provides him with a profound perspective on religious questioning and interfaith dialogue.

Hamza Howidy is peace activist living in exile. He was born and raised in Gaza. He lived under the control of Hamas and was imprisoned by them when he participated in the "We want to Live" protests. Join us to hear the truth about what it was like to live in Gaza, how dangerous it is to oppose Hamas publicly, and what he has to say to university students in the west praising the terrorist group that imprisoned and tortured him.

Jaleh Tavakoli and I went to Israel for a week as part of a delegation of people from across the Middle East invited to join a group called Sharaka. Sharaka means "partnership" in Arabic and the NGO is a partnership between the UAE and Israel that was inspired by the Abraham accords. Their mission is to "Shape a New Middle East- Together".While we were there we visited Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial, as well as the Nova Forest, which holds an Oct 7th memorial. It was the first time for both of us - Jaleh with roots in Iran, and me with roots from Gaza and Israel. We discussed what surprised us, what enraged us, what our favorite  and least favorite parts were and so on...Follow Jaleh on X: https://twitter.com/JalehTavakoli

Elica Le Bon is a British-born attorney, artist, activist, and speaker. She was born and raised in London and moved to Los Angeles to go to law school. Since then, she has worked foremost as a criminal defense attorney while developing a second career in activism, initially focused primarily on bringing light to issues surrounding human rights in Iran and the wider Middle East. Since starting, her unique voice has reached millions across various audiences and platforms around the world as a voice for bridge building, truth telling, and humanity.Follow Elica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elicalebon/On X: https://twitter.com/elicalebon

Gad Saad is a professor at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada - one of the cities that has seen the biggest eruption of antisemitism since Oct 7th. Gad was born in Beirut, Lebanon to a Jewish family with roots in Syria. As a child, the antisemitism his family encountered is one of the reasons why they fled from Lebanon to Canada. And now in Canada, he has to hear professors telling students to “go back to Poland” in reference to Auschwitz and the Holocaust where millions of Jewish people were murdered. Gad and I spoke about antisemitism in the Arab world and how disorienting it is for us to see it so naked in the west today, with students in Columbia University in NY asking for Hamas to make them proud and burn Tel Aviv to the ground. As one of the few voices who was warning about where this capitulation to extremism could lead, we will find out how Gad feels now that he is being ‘vindicated' and how he thinks we can move beyond this crisis.

Golsa Golestaneh is an Iranian-Canadian woman whose main passion is challenging misinformation, bias, and propaganda. Having a background in both Iranian and Canadian activist circles has helped her in analyzing sociopolitical issues factually and independently, rather than by relying on the mainstream narrative. Golsa will be joining us to talk about how she has been forced to attend diversity and inclusion reprogramming at her job because speaking up against the regime she escaped is socially unacceptable in Canada.

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib is an American writer and analyst who grew up in Gaza City which he left in 2005 as a teenage exchange student. He writes extensively on Gaza's political and humanitarian affairs and has been an outspoken critic of Hamas and a promoter of coexistence and peace as the only path forward between Palestinians and Israelis. Alkhatib has a bachelor's degree in business administration and a Master's in intelligence and national security studies. His writing has been published in U.S. and Israeli outlets, and his opinions and comments have been featured in international press.

Sam Harris has a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA. He is the author of five New York Times best sellers. His books include The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation, The Moral Landscape, Free Will, Lying, Waking Up, and Islam and the Future of Tolerance. He also hosts the Making Sense Podcast, which was selected by Apple as one of the “iTunes Best” and has won a Webby Award for best podcast in the Science & Education category. As well, Sam has created the Waking Up app for anyone who wants to learn to meditate in a modern, scientific context. On top of all this, Sam is an incredibly kind, thoughtful, and generous man that I am so grateful to call a friend. Sam and I will be discussing the current state of discourse around Islam in the US, UK, and globally and how/if things have changed since his infamous exchange with Ben Affleck on Real Time with Bill Maher in 2014. We will, of course, be discussing October 7th and the global ripple effects from that day. I generally speak a lot about my mother, but in this conversation, I will be sharing about my father, a man born and raised in Gaza. We will also talk about how we envision going forward from this point. Will things continue to get worse before they can ever get better? 

Unlike my regular interviews, this podcast is a discussion between myself and my friend Jay Shapiro. Jay grew up as a Zionist and I grew up as an Islamist. We will be discussing October 7th and the aftermath... and you are welcome to join us. Jay Shapiro is a writer and documentary filmmaker with a focus on philosophy and intellectually challenging subjects. He wrote and directed the film adaptation of the collaboration between philosopher Sam Harris and former imprisoned Muslim extremist turned reformer, Maajid Nawaz entitled Islam And The Future of Tolerance. He has also directed successful films which dive into the complexities of International Law as well as inspiring sports documentaries. Recently he wrote and produced a 10 part series for the widely listened to Making Sense Podcast where he compiled a decade of conversations by Sam Harris and his varied guests into audio-documentaries on topics such as Free Will, Violence, Existential Threat, Belief and Unbelief, and more. He is currently producing a 10 part audio-series with the philosopher Annaka Harris on the topic of Consciousness and Fundamental Physics.He writes essays and hosts a podcast entitled Dilemma which explores topics of philosophy and politics and is currently releasing episodes in The Palestine Series which focus on the conflict which has erupted after the October 7th attacks in southern Israel. 

Deepti joins us to speak about the organization she runs with a dedicated group of volunteers called CHINGARI. The organization aims to bring awareness to the world about the Hindu girls who are kidnapped, forced to convert to Islam, forcefully married, and who face countless other atrocities in Sindh, Pakistan each day. Through informative advocacy, CHINGARI seeks to make local U.S. representatives aware of the unstable religious situation in Pakistan. Join us to speak to Deepti about her work, to understand how this could be such a common phenomenon, and to learn what must be done to protect the girls.

Siavash Safavi is a translator, former student activist, and political prisoner from Iran. He was sentenced to prison and lashing and had to escape the country in 2011. He arrived in Canada as a refugee in 2013 and in January 2017, he was labeled by the IRGC as one of the 30 traitors to the Islamic Republic for his opposition to the nuclear deal (JCPOA).

Madiha grew up in Pakistan before moving to the US. She will join us to share what life in like for girls and women in Pakistan and to tell us about her personal experiences and journey out of Islam and into becoming a free woman, a physician, a wife, a mother and the host of a YouTube page that explores the intersection of faith and modernity and dissecting ethical dilemmas. In her page she aims to spark meaningful conversations that transcend boundaries.  Connect with Madiha on her YouTube channel: MadihaTalks

In this very special Yasmine Mohammed Podcast, I will interview an incredibly brave woman named Dalia Ziada: Dalia is one of the most famous political analysts in the Arab world. She had to flee her country in fear for her life because she publicly told the truth about Hamas terrorists. In our conversation, she will explain why the Islamists are the enemy and why Europe and North America should be careful.Contact Dalia:dalia@egyldi.orgFacebook.com/daliaziadaTwitter @daliaziadaDalia's book: https://www.amazon.com/Curious-Case-Three-Legged-Wolf-Democracy/dp/1696264731

Anna was born in USSR to a Jewish family who, due to antisemitism, immigrated to Israel when she was two years old. Anna grew up in Israel in a Jewish family who survived the Holocaust. When she was about 10 years old, her mother married a Muslim man and converted to Islam. To escape the enforced religion, and living with a man who celebrated 9/11, Anna left home when she was a teenager. She eventually left Israel and moved to the USA all by herself to start a new life. Anna now holds an MBA and an BSA degree.Follow Anna on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/designer_of_insta/?hl=en