Is Vela a cult?

Transparency or Takedown? Breaking Down the Khaled Beydoun Debate

Hosts Lena, Mariam, Manal, and Deanna unpack an Instagram controversy alleging that Khaled Beydoun received a significant cut from funds raised for Gaza through Human Appeal. They examine whether paid fundraising is ethical, what commissions and overhead typically look like in the nonprofit world, and why transparency with donors is the core issue. Drawing on firsthand nonprofit experience in Gaza, Mariam highlights the importance of verifying NGO registration and on-the-ground work. The group also questions influencer-led fundraising, public callouts, and the impact of online dogpiling, while discussing practical donor due diligence tools and best practices. The episode closes with Ramadan reminders: give generously, ask respectful questions, verify before sharing, and approach influencer-linked donations with care. The show will pause during Ramadan and return after Eid. 00:00 $2M Fundraising Accusation Goes Viral — What Happened? 00:25 Meet Khaled Beydoun: Lawyer, Professor & Activist Background 02:35 Nonprofit Insider Story: Spotting Sketchy NGOs After the 2021 War 06:11 Who Is ‘We Are The Peace’? Brand Origins, Mission & Pricing Questions 07:44 Did They Jump the Gun? Public Callouts vs Private Accountability 09:02 The $7M Raised, 29% Cut Explained — What’s Ethical in Fundraising? 09:41 Human Appeal’s Role: Overhead, Disclosure, and Donor Transparency 12:27 Khaled’s Response vs Receipts: ‘It Went to My Charity’ Claim 16:52 How Fundraiser Commissions Work (and Why People Don’t Know) 21:35 Influencers + NGOs: Red Flags, Marketing Arguments, and Who Else Got Paid? 27:43 Timing, Epstein Files, and Tools to Vet Charities (Nonprofit Explorer) 29:39 Imams vs Influencers: Trust, Kickbacks, and That 29% Cut 30:51 NGO Expense Ratios & What Transparency Should Actually Look Like 32:07 “Zionist Playbook” Accusations and the Problem With Lazy Labels 35:54 What “Grifting” Means: Receipts, Scandals, and Social Media Pile-Ons 40:47 Due Diligence 101: Vetting Charities Without Airing Dirty Laundry 42:02 Unintended Consequences: Defamation Risk, NGO Scrutiny, and Community Fitna 49:19 Real-World Swindling Stories in Muslim Communities (and Why Outrage Happens) 51:24 Deanna’s Hot Take: Influencer Culture, Paid Promotions, and “It’s a Job” 54:02 Wrap-Up: Ramadan Advice, Give Generously—Ask Respectfully

A Conversation with Zeeshan Hafeez

Join Lena, Mariam and Deeana in this episode of Yalla and Yap, where they host Zeeshan Hafeez, a national candidate for Texas’ 33rd district.  Hafeez shares his journey into politics, which began in the wake of the 9/11 attacks while he was the only Muslim student at his liberal arts college and then reignited after October 7, 2023. Hafeez passionately speaks about his campaign’s commitment to addressing domestic issues, ending U.S. financial support for Israeli actions, and prioritizing progressive policies such as universal healthcare, workers’ rights, and abolishing ICE. He calls for collective action and voter registration while sharing his vision of true representation for all Americans.  The episode wraps up with fun rapid-fire questions, giving viewers a personal glimpse into Zeeshan Hafeez. 00:00 Guest Introduction: Zeeshan Hafeez 00:36 Han Ifis' Political Journey 02:58 Impact of October 7th and Gaza Conflict 04:12 Running for Office: District 33 04:42 Campaign Focus: Domestic Issues and Palestine 06:28 Challenges and Criticisms 09:57 Opponent Profiles and Campaign Strategy 12:49 Voter Engagement and Support 26:36 Islamophobia and Political Climate 37:59 Getting to Know the Candidate 38:26 Community Involvement and Public Service 39:10 DFW Refugee Outreach Services 40:31 Challenges Faced by Refugees 42:34 Voting in the Democratic Primary 44:35 Supporting Local Organizations 52:40 Unapologetic Campaign Values 54:20 Motivation and Guiding Principles 57:24 Addressing Islamophobia and Bigotry 01:05:42 Rapid Fire Questions 01:10:00 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

The Trad Wife

In this episode of Yalla & Yap, hosts Lena, Deanna, Mariam, and Manal tackle the controversial topic of the 'Trad Wife'. They delve into what it means to embrace traditional gender roles within marriage and family life, examining how this concept applies both within and outside the Muslim community.  00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic: The Traditional Wife 00:34 The Final Boss: Nara Smith and Social Media Influence 02:03 Misleading Perceptions and the Muslim Family Unit 04:13 Generational Differences and Social Media's Impact 07:44 Corporate America and the Myth of 'Having It All' 14:16 The Reality of Traditional Roles and Financial Pressures 19:21 The Importance of Realistic Expectations and Personal Plans 27:04 Young Marriages and the Influence of Social Media 33:29 The Modern Choice for Women: Respecting Homemakers 34:42 Cultural Differences in Maternity Leave 35:25 The Shift in Corporate Culture 37:52 The Breastfeeding Debate 38:35 Balancing Career and Motherhood 39:39 The Reality of Corporate America 43:56 The Soft Life Movement 46:05 Financial Independence and Marriage 01:02:01 The Importance of Contentment 01:03:41 Concluding Thoughts on Women's Choices

Being a Stay-at-Home Mom is not Hard.

Welcome to Yalla & Yap! Join Lena, Manal, Deanna, and Mariam as they dive into a heated debate about the difficulties of being a stay-at-home mom versus a working mom. Discussing perspectives from a popular divorce lawyer, personal experiences, societal expectations, and cultural influences, the hosts explore what makes motherhood so challenging regardless of the path chosen. From managing time and household responsibilities to navigating societal judgments, this episode unpacks the complexities of modern motherhood.  Don't miss the engaging discussion, real-life insights, and the acknowledgment that every mom's journey is unique. 00:00 Introduction and Controversial Statement 02:00 Context of the Divorce Lawyer's Opinion 03:32 Discussion on Stay-at-Home Moms vs. Working Moms 05:28 Personal Perspectives on Motherhood 09:07 Cultural Expectations and Gender Roles 13:02 Challenges of Balancing Work and Family 17:45 Debating the Hardships of Stay-at-Home Moms 21:37 The Shared Load in Parenting 23:46 Final Thoughts on Motherhood and Work 38:42 Balancing Motherhood and Work 39:30 Societal Value of Stay-at-Home Moms 41:10 Idle Time and Infidelity 42:16 Different Types of Stay-at-Home Moms 42:47 Challenges of Modern Motherhood 46:04 Economic Factors and Parenting 55:21 The Importance of Community Support 56:18 The Role of Technology in Parenting 01:04:57 Podcast Launch Party Highlights 01:11:30 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Is Vela a cult?

In this episode, Lena, Mariam, and Deanna dive into a passionate and engaging discussion on the hotly debated topic of the Vela Hijab brand.  They explore its origins, the challenges of being a hijabi in America, and the market landscape for hijab brands. The trio shares personal hijab experiences, discusses the evolution of hijab fashion, and addresses the backlash against Vela.  They also touch on broader themes like consumerism, community support, and maintaining modesty while navigating societal pressures. Tune in for an insightful conversation that blends personal stories with critical analysis. 00:00 Welcome to Y Yap 00:33 The Hijab Brand Vela 01:22 Hijab Struggles and Fashion Evolution 02:38 Personal Hijab Stories 04:28 Hijab Fashion Trends 12:37 Vela's Impact and Controversies 35:07 Exploring Hijab Brands and Preferences 35:54 The Magnet Debate and Hijab Safety 36:41 Challenges and Solutions in Hijab Wearing 37:57 Supporting Muslim Businesses 39:58 The Importance of Quality and Cost in Education 45:24 Fashion Trends and Social Pressures 49:08 The Impact of War on Personal Grooming 01:04:23 Final Thoughts on Hijab and Personal Conduct