Being Queer and Muslim in Russia: Kamil Safin’s Fight for Identity

Choosing Peace After Loss: Palestinian Activist & Author Aziz Abu Sarah

In this episode, host Senada Sokollu speaks with Palestinian peace activist and author Aziz Abu Sarah. Raised in East Jerusalem as the youngest of seven children in a religious Muslim family, Aziz’s life was shaped early on by the realities of conflict. At just ten years old, he lost his brother after he was tortured in Israeli detention—an experience that left him with deep anger, grief, and a desire for revenge. But instead of staying in that place, Aziz chose a different path. In this conversation, he speaks openly about what that shift required: the long journey from anger to agency, why forgiveness is not about the other side but about reclaiming control, and how trauma—both personal and generational—lives in the body. Aziz is also the co-author of The Future Is Peace: A Shared Journey Across the Holy Land, written together with Israeli peace activist Maoz Inon, who lost both of his parents on October 7. The two have since become close collaborators in peacebuilding, meeting global leaders—including Pope Francis, who was the first to call them “brothers”—and carrying a shared message to audiences around the world. This episode is not about easy answers or idealistic hope. It’s about what peace actually costs. What it asks of you—emotionally, politically, and personally. And what it means to choose it anyway.

Surviving ISIS: From Stolen Childhood to Unbreakable Spirit - Jihan Alomar

In this episode, host Senada Sokollu sits down with Jihan Alomar, a 21-year-old Yazidi activist and survivor of ISIS captivity. Jihan shares her harrowing experiences of being kidnapped and held by ISIS for 10 months along with her family, their miraculous escape to Germany, and how she has transformed her suffering into powerful activism. Now a prominent voice in the fight for Yazidi justice, Jihan revisits memories of her childhood and the impact the captivity has had on her and her family. This deeply moving conversation, conducted in German will be published with English subtitles on YouTube. It sheds light on the Yazidi culture, the generational trauma endured, and the ongoing struggle for recognition and support. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience, courage, and advocacy.

The First Survivor: Serkan Yildirim against the far-right terror (NSU)

In this episode, host Senada Sokollu sits down with Serkan Yildirim — the first victim to survive the far-right terrorist group NSU. At just 18 years old, a bomb disguised as a flashlight exploded in his hands inside a Nuremberg bar. For years, he wasn’t recognized as a victim of terror — but treated with suspicion, left to fight for truth and dignity on his own. Today, Serkan speaks under his real name to reclaim his identity — and to make sure his story, and the stories of others targeted by racist violence in Germany, are finally heard. In the second half of the episode, Senada is joined by Serkan’s lawyer, Engin Sanli, to discuss the ongoing legal struggle for justice — and the many unanswered questions that remain in the NSU complex. This conversation is more urgent than ever: Beate Zschäpe — convicted for her key role in the NSU murders — could already be eligible for early release in 2026 after entering a deradicalization program. The interview is conducted in German, and available on YouTube with English subtitles. Listen now — because the story isn’t over. And remembering is a form of justice.

Maoz Inon lost his parents to Hamas. He chose peace.

In this moving episode, Senada speaks with Maoz Inon — Israeli peace activist and entrepreneur whose parents were killed by Hamas in the October 7 terror attacks. Instead of choosing hatred, Maoz answered with something far more radical: a commitment to peace. Since then, he has met with Pope Francis, spoken on TED, and traveled across the world to share a bold vision: that peace is not naive — it’s necessary. Maoz opens up about his childhood, the moment his world shattered, and why he believes forgiveness is not weakness but strength and strategy. He gives a powerful glimpse into his upcoming book, The Future Is Peace, co-authored with Palestinian peacebuilder Aziz Abu Sarah — a shared journey based on grief, courage, and a vision about what imagination can create. An episode about loss — and the possibility of transformation. Tune in to witness what it means to fight for peace when war is all around you.

Being Queer and Muslim in Russia: Kamil Safin’s Fight for Identity

In this emotionally charged episode of Echo of the Unheard,host Senada Sokollu speaks with Kamil Safin, a queer and Muslim individual who courageously left Russia to live in Germany. Kamil shares his survival tactics growing up in a hostile environment, the struggles with internalizedhomophobia, and the cultural complexities of balancing multiple identities. Active with Munich Kyiv Queer, Kamil discusses his work helping LGBTQ+ refugees and reflects on his ongoing journey toward self-acceptance and advocacy. Thispoignant conversation sheds light on issues of safety, trust, and the resilience needed to navigate life as a queer person in a repressive society.