Italy beyond Pizza: the truth about the Mafia - Francesco | with Faris

Italy beyond Pizza: the truth about the Mafia - Francesco | with Faris

What happens when an Italian from Sicily learns Arabic, moves to Dubai, and discovers how much Italian and Arab cultures have in common? In this fascinating conversation, Francesco shares his journey from Sicily to the UAE, his passion for languages, and his unique perspective on food, fashion, family values, migration, and the deep historical connections between Sicily and the Muslim world. From the obsession with Italian food and coffee culture to the misconceptions surrounding the Mafia, this episode offers a rare and insightful look into Italy through the eyes of a Sicilian who speaks Arabic and appreciates both worlds. 🌍 In This Episode: ✅ Why Italians take food so seriously ✅ The surprising similarities between Arab and Italian family values ✅ Italian fashion and the philosophy behind style ✅ The truth about the Mafia vs Hollywood stereotypes ✅ Sicily's forgotten Islamic history and Arabic influence ✅ Cultural differences between Europe and the Gulf ✅ Migration, identity, and preserving tradition in a globalized world "Language is culture, and culture is identity." 00:00 Intro: The Italian Guy 00:20 A Pizza Coincidence? Meeting The Italian Guy 01:49 Sicily to Dubai 03:40 Italian Food 06:22 Food Mistakes 07:59 Ketchup on Pasta 08:33 Italian Breakfast 10:28 Family Meals 11:52 Nutella 12:53 Coffee Culture 16:10 Italian Style 17:59 Fashion & Identity 19:38 Islam & Fashion 22:17 Mafia Myths 23:23 Sicily & The Mafia 24:42 Youth Gangs 26:31 Mafia Origins 28:44 Mafia Rules 30:50 Crime & Power 32:29 Super Mario 33:32 Mamma Mia 34:42 Arabs & Italians 36:15 Arab Sicily 38:09 Tradition Today 39:21 Italy vs The Gulf 41:36 Tradition vs Modernity 43:22 Losing Identity? 47:02 Culture Shock 49:09 Islamic Sicily 51:45 Arabic Roots 53:42 Immigration 55:20 Europe's Debate 58:45 Modern Italy 01:09:00 Final Thoughts This conversation is a reminder that despite different languages and traditions, people often share more values than they realize. #Italy #Sicily #Arabic #Dubai #Podcast #ItalianCulture #ArabCulture #FoodCulture #IslamicHistory #Mafia #LanguageLearning #Travel #CulturalExchange

“He was pulled to Islam” - Abdullah | With Faris

What happens when someone grows up with no religion, no belief in God, and no understanding of faith—yet spends a lifetime searching for answers? In this inspiring conversation, Brother Abdullah shares his remarkable journey from atheism to Islam. From fasting Ramadan before believing in God, to constantly questioning the purpose of life, to the moment the Adhan pierced his heart and changed everything forever, this story is a powerful reminder that guidance can come when we least expect it. 🌟 Key Takeaways How the natural fitrah can remain alive even in an atheist environment Why sincere questions can become a path to guidance The unexpected signs that led Abdullah closer to Islam The emotional impact of hearing the Adhan for the first time How Allah guided both him and his wife to Islam 📖 Quran Reminder “Indeed, it is not the eyes that are blind, but it is the hearts in the chests that grow blind.” — Surah Al-Hajj (22:46) 00:00 - Introduction to Brother Abdullah 01:13 - A Unique French-Spanish-Yugoslav Heritage 02:43 - A Child's Instinct to Pray 05:15 - Fasting Ramadan as an Atheist Teen 08:50 - Moving to Spain & Living in Poverty 12:20 - First Meaningful Encounters with Muslims 15:35 - Questioning the Universe and its Creator 17:10 - Asking God for Financial Help 19:15 - Returning to France 21:30 - Defending Islam as an Atheist 23:44 - Testing Faith: The Empty Gas Tank Coincidence 25:50 - Hearing the Adhan for the First Time 28:15 - Realizing the Truth of Islam 30:57 - The Big Secret: Hiding Islam from His Girlfriend 34:20 - Shocking Discovery: His Girlfriend Wants to Revert Too! 38:14 - Spending Thousands on Islamic Literature 41:07 - Hiding the Secret Prayer Mat 43:40 - Confronting the Family About Alcohol 46:09 - His Wife’s Decision to Wear the Hijab 49:30 - Facing the Family Boycott 53:54 - Reading the Quran While Working as a DJ 55:38 - Homeschooling and Teaching His Kids the Quran 58:18 - Hiding Under the DJ Booth to Read the Quran 1:01:05 - The Struggle of Riba and Leaving a Haram Job 1:03:44 - Seeking Stronger Faith: The Plan to Visit Tunisia 1:06:15 - Detained at the Tunisian Airport on Ramadan 1:09:38 - Stripped of Everything Except His Religion 1:12:11 - Returning to France and Finally Quitting the DJ Job 1:14:28 - France Bans Homeschooling: The Push for Hijra 1:17:55 - The Danger of New Reverts Giving Da'wah Without Knowledge 1:21:02 - The Harsh Reality of Practicing Islam in France 1:24:48 - Conclusion & Teaser for the Next Episode #farishammadi #podcast #withfaris #revertstory #AtheistToIslam

"What He Experienced in UAE Changed Everything" - Mark | With Faris

In this podcast, Faris Al Hammadi speaks with Mark, a teacher who embraced Islam 10 years ago. But his journey didn’t begin with debates or deep study… It began with an experience. While living and working in Ras Al Khaimah, Mark witnessed something that stayed with him — the way people treated him. The kindness. The respect. The sincerity. The cultures. The environment Coming from a different background, this contrast made him reflect deeply. And over time, that experience led him to Islam. 👉 It wasn’t arguments that changed him 👉 It was character, cultures & environment This story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the strongest message is shown through actions — not words. 📌 Watch till the end to hear what truly changed everything. 00:00 - Intro – “You’re Muslim?!” 00:20 - His life 10 years ago vs today 00:41 - Meet Mark from England 🇬🇧 01:20 - Why he moved to the UAE 🇦🇪 02:30 - Taking a risk with only savings 03:20 - Landing in Ras Al Khaimah for the first time 04:05 - First impressions of UAE life 05:00 - Leaving comfort to explore life 06:10 - Culture shock & first experiences 06:44 - Learning “Assalamu Alaikum” 08:10 - His upbringing & values from his mother 09:30 - Falling in love with Ras Al Khaimah 10:45 - Western media vs reality of the Middle East 12:30 - “It couldn’t be further from the truth” 13:20 - The small moments that changed everything 14:30 - “10 years ago, I would’ve said you’re crazy” 15:30 - His religious background before Islam 16:40 - First curiosity about Islam 17:30 - Funny cultural misunderstanding (hijab moment) 19:00 - Respecting culture as a guest 20:30 - Emotional connection with students & teachers 22:00 - His journey toward Islam begins 23:10 - Taking Shahada (becoming Muslim) 24:30 - Why asking questions is important 25:40 - The Qur’an that changed his perspective 27:00 - What convinced him Islam is the truth 28:20 - Media misconceptions explained 29:40 - Real Muslim character & discipline 31:00 - Watching prayer in school – powerful moment 32:30 - The beauty of Islamic manners 34:00 - Life after becoming Muslim 35:10 - Meeting his wife just weeks after Shahada 36:20 - Learning how to pray from scratch 38:00 - First time entering a mosque 39:30 - “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes” 41:00 - Improving Arabic & daily practice 42:30 - Life as a Muslim teacher in UAE 44:00 - His transformation over the years 45:30 - The pillars of Islam explained 47:00 - Why Shahada is the foundation 48:30 - Getting married in the UAE 50:00 - Telling his family he became Muslim 51:30 - His mother’s reaction ❤️ 53:00 - Meeting his Emirati wife’s family #FarisAlHammadi #Islam #RevertStory #RasAlKhaimah #UAE #IslamJourney #Dawah #withFaris #Podcast

"He’s Not Muslim… But Chose an Islamic Country" - Big Frank | With Faris

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, a British non-Muslim father shares why he made the life-changing decision to leave the UK and move his family to the UAE. From growing up around alcohol, violence, and chaos in Britain… to finding peace, safety, and purpose in an Islamic country — this episode dives into modern society, fatherhood, faith, identity, and what truly matters in life. We talk about: Why he no longer wanted his children growing up in Britain The hidden crisis facing families in the West Why living in the UAE completely changed his perspective The truth about Islam and Muslims vs what the media shows Addiction, prison, mental health, and personal transformation Why safety, values, and community matter more than money Faith, purpose, masculinity, and raising children in today’s world Why more non-Muslim families are choosing the UAE He also opens up about his struggles with alcohol, anxiety, identity, and the journey that led him to rethink everything he believed about life, family, and religion. This is more than a conversation about moving countries — it’s a conversation about meaning, protection, and finding peace in a world that feels increasingly lost. 🎙 Guest Big Frank — British content creator and father sharing his honest perspective on family, modern Britain, Islam, and life in the UAE. 00:00 Intro 00:51 Why is Frank in the UAE? 06:05 What did Frank give up? 07:45 Hospitality 09:39 Frank's Job 11:51 Why do you look like that? 14:16 Criminal Record 15:20 Everything happens for a reason 16:04 Addiction and Anxiety 18:47 Fathers are Authority 21:20 Are women weaker than men? 23:15 Thoughts on Democracy 29:43 Frank's Patriotism 31:18 Muslims in the UK 35:15 Tommy Robinson 37:08 UAE & UK Muslims 38:21 UAE & Islam 40:51 Propaganda on UAE 42:56 The Problem with Politics 44:48 Islam will fix your country 46:00 Belief in God 51:04 Purpose of Life 54:40 Reliance on Allah 56:00 What scares you 59:11 Overcoming Addiction 01:02:38 UK's Drinking problem 01:03:54 Islam makes sense! 01:15:10 Ignorance is dividing us 01:06:18 Restriction on Extremism 01:08:43 Does Zionism Control the internet? 01:11:29 Islamifying the UK

He makes 6 figs online selling consulting | With Faris

Jamil’s remote sales programme: https://muslimsettify.com [https://muslimsettify.com] I sat down with Jamil, a young brother who dropped out of university at 21 and chose a completely different path. In this episode, we discuss: • Leaving university • Building online income through remote sales • Life in the UK vs the Gulf • Hijrah and living around Muslims • Marriage at a young age • The reality behind making money online • Risk, discipline, and ambition This is not a “get rich quick” conversation. It’s a real discussion about sacrifice, hard work, and taking responsibility for your future. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and share the video. #podcast #onlinebusiness #remotesales #hijrah #selfimprovement #entrepreneurship #muslimpodcast #onlineincome