We’re back with Season 5 and Makkah is in a new city! We talk moving—the good apartments, the bad apartments, what comes, what goes and how to create a home and community.

For the last episode of the season, Ikhlas and Makkah lament the last year of their 20s. They look back at what went right, what went allll the way left and what’s to come. How do you prepare for the big 3-0?

While Makkah is on vacation, Ikhlas is joined by guest co-host, Joshua Wilkerson. In honor of their two-year wedding anniversary, Ikhlas and Joshua play a game of 21 questions.

Naeem Muhammad of Native Deen joins us to chat about the connection between music and faith. In this episode, we shoutout our favorite songs of summer, try to figure out what gospel music is doing right, and get real about what Black artists have to consider when performing for Muslim audiences. 

Guest:

Naeem Muhammad, @naeemusic, is an award-winning singer/songwriter and member of Muslim hip-hop group Native Deen. For nearly two decades, Naeem’s music has highlighted issues impacting Muslims in America for across the globe and inspired an international fan base. You can find out more about Native Deen at nativedeen.com.

In the final episode of our 5 Pillars Series, “Hajj Pro” Shahidah Sharif joins us to discuss what this ritual means to her and how to prepare for the experience of a life time.

Guest:

Shahidah Sharif is the Program Director of the Faith Institute of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, and is the co-founder and COO of Professional Hajj and Umrah Guides, LLC. In that role, she organizes and leads annual delegations for the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah. To learn more, visit hajjpros.com.

So you’ve just converted to Islam. Now what? On this episode, Palmer Shepherd joins us to discuss how becoming Muslim means trying to be the best you can be, what unique challenges converts face and the importance of community in navigating it all.

Guest:

Palmer Shepherd, @shadedpalms, is the former Co-Chair of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity’s LGBTQ Muslim Retreat. He is also fellow of the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute.

Episode Extras:

• For more information on the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity and their LGBTQ Muslim Retreat, you can visit their website at http://www.muslimalliance.org/.

How can women get the most out of Ramadan when we are unable to fast? We sit down with Hazel Gomez about female bodies, spiritual development and what it might take to change how we think about our periods.

Guest:

Hazel Gomez, @Palunquita, is a student of the Islamic sciences with Rabata.org under the tutelage of Shaykha Tamara Gray. Hazel is a community organizer with Dream of Detroit and is as an advisor and board member to various nonprofits focused on community development, convert care, anti-racism work and mosque development within the Muslim community.

Episode Extras:

• Rabata.org is a virtual educational platform where Muslim women can go to find and develop their spiritual selves.
  Anse Shehnaz Karim wrote a heartfelt open letter to women to help us see periods as blessings: https://www.sanadcollective.org/having-your-period-a-time-of-deep-prayer/
• Seekers Hub compiled a great list of 10 ways to benefit from Ramadan when you are unable to fast: http://seekershub.org/blog/2016/04/menstruating-women-in-ramadan/

In Part 2 of our “5 Pillars Series” this Ramadan, we discuss praying for candy, struggling to keep up in taraweeh and the potential benefits of being elbowed in the ribs. Plus we chat with Yusufi Vali, Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, about inclusive mosques and how to find a spiritual home.

Guest:

Yusufi Vali, @YusufiVali, is the Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC), the largest Islamic institution in New England.

Episode Extras:

• To learn more about #BlackIftar, visit blackiftar.com
• Check out See Something Say Something’s Ramadan series, which is highlighting Muslims in the media spotlight: buzzfeed.com/seesomethingsaysomething
• Subscribe today to Soulfood FM, a podcast about spiritual refinement: soulfood.fm
• Use IslamicFinder’s Athan App to achieve your #PrayerGoals: islamicfinder.org/athan

MUSIC

• Music by Ibraheem Azam

In Part 1 of our “5 Pillars Series” this Ramadan, we discuss what zakat means to us, how children’s songs are useful teaching tools and what Islam might be trying to tell us about capitalism. Plus we chat with Amany Killawi, COO and co-founder of LaunchGood, about how her organization helps Muslims put our money where our mouths are and take steps to living more charitable lives.

Guest:

Amany Killawi, @Killawia, is the COO and co-founder of LaunchGood, a global crowdfunding platform created to support Muslims Launching good around the world by helping them raise funds for their campaigns.

Episode Extras:

• To learn more about the basics of Zakat, check out Joe Bradford’s Simple Zakat Guide: https://www.joebradford.net/book/simple-zakat-guide/
• Want to give and don’t know where to start? It’s not too late to sign up for this year’s LaunchGood Ramadan Challenge: https://www.launchgood.com/challenge#!/challenge/ramadan_challenge_2018?src=75

MUSIC

• Music by Ibraheem Azam

Ikhlas and Makkah discuss what it means to be a “Ramadan Muslim” and share how they are prepping for the month spiritually and socially. Plus Makkah’s five year-old nephew Tariq has some great advice for all you first-time fasters out there.

We’re doing a series for Ramadan and want to know what’s been your Ramadan journey? What does the month mean to you? And if you haven’t been able to fast, what are some things you do to observe the month? Call us at 857-302-0752 and leave your name, city, & answer to these questions to have a chance to be featured on our show! You can also email identitypoliticspodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the National Geographic event!

MUSIC

• Music by Ibraheem Azam