Islamic Education in Canada: What’s Working, What’s Missing, and What Comes Next

MuslimFest 2025: Urdu Poetry Takes Center Stage

Urdu poetry is coming to the main stage at MuslimFest 2025 In this episode, I sat down with Program Director Maduba Ahmad and Urdu programming lead Abeerah Sethi to talk about: 🔹 What inspired this year’s Urdu spotlight 🔹 The revival of interest in Urdu among young Canadian Muslims 🔹 What to expect at both the Mushaera (Saturday) and Main Stage (Sunday) Whether you're fluent in Urdu or just vibing with the rhythm of it, this conversation is for you. #MuslimFest2025 #UrduPoetry #Mushaera #CanadianMuslims #GTAEvents #MuslimArts #SpokenWord #TorontoEvents #UrduRevival #YouTellMePodcast Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: MuslimFest and the Urdu Spotlight 01:25 – Meet the Guests: Maduba Ahmad & Abeerah Sethi 03:30 – How MuslimFest Has Evolved Since 2004 07:00 – Why Include Urdu Poetry This Year? 09:00 – What New Audiences Might Discover at the Mushaera 11:25 – Challenges of Learning Urdu in the Diaspora 13:00 – Urdu Rap & Modern Expressions at MuslimFest 14:10 – Closing Thoughts & Mic Drop Moments 📢 Stay Connected: ✅ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youtellmeacmp/ ✅ Click here for more episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYenBLgj0PbX4qPiInBhUOS6mkPikQLVN&si=DdgCCbnsAiu1OlOA 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3uj6mGvvw3lNNSTUxW2E1a?si=04B-I-fDRimUAwViQsJj6w Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-tell-me-a-canadian-muslim-podcast/id1783214735 💡 About the Podcast: You Tell Me... A Canadian Muslim Podcast explores the lives, challenges, and successes of Muslims in the GTA and beyond. We’re here for honest conversations and real stories to learn, grow, and celebrate our community. 🔗 Helpful Links: Guest’s Website/Social Media: https://www.muslimfest.com/ https://www.instagram.com/muslimfest/ 📩 Contact Us: For collaborations or inquiries, email us at: info@youtellmeacmp.ca

Islamic Education in Canada: What’s Working, What’s Missing, and What Comes Next

What’s the real purpose of Islamic education in the West—and are we anywhere close to fulfilling it? In this episode, I sit down with three guests—a parent, a student, and a teacher—to have an honest conversation about what Islamic schools are doing well, where they’re struggling, and what we can do better as a community. We talk about identity, scholarship, community leadership, and what happens if we don’t take this seriously. Chapters 00:00 — Intro 04:05 — Guest Intros 06:09 — The Purpose of an Islamic Education System 12:16 — Choosing a Career Path 19:19 — The Role of Parent 29:17 — How can the School Provide Inspiration? 37:02 — Scholarship in th GTA 56:39 — Standardization 01:03:15 — Solution Search 01:17:23 — Magic Wand 📢 Stay Connected: ✅ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youtellmeacmp/ ✅ Click here for more episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYenBLgj0PbX4qPiInBhUOS6mkPikQLVN&si=DdgCCbnsAiu1OlOA 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3uj6mGvvw3lNNSTUxW2E1a?si=04B-I-fDRimUAwViQsJj6w Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-tell-me-a-canadian-muslim-podcast/id1783214735 💡 About the Podcast: You Tell Me... A Canadian Muslim Podcast explores the lives, challenges, and successes of Muslims in the GTA and beyond. We’re here for honest conversations and real stories to learn, grow, and celebrate our community. 📩 Contact Us: For collaborations or inquiries, email us at: info@youtellmeacmp.ca

Strategic Voting: Palestine, and the Muslim Vote in 2025

In this episode of You Tell Me... A Canadian Muslim Podcast, I sit down with friends Ghufran Ahmed and Shadi Al Darbe to discuss how Canadian Muslims can navigate the 2025 federal election — thoughtfully, ethically, and strategically.   We talk about: ·        Why voting matters in Islam and Canadian civic life ·        How Muslims can balance faith, family, and social responsibility when voting ·        The problems and risks of strategic voting ·        Evaluating candidates beyond just party loyalty ·        Why collective action and community endorsements matter more than ever ·        How to cut through political noise and make an informed, principled choice   If you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or frustrated bytoday's political climate, you're not alone. This episode offers real talk, practical frameworks, and a reminder of our shared duty to stand up for justice — here at home and abroad.   Helpful Resources Mentioned: ·        VotePalestine.ca [https://votepalestine.ca/] ·        MuslimsVote.ca [https://muslimsvote.ca/] ·        CanadianMuslimVote.ca [https://www.canadianmuslimvote.ca/] ·        338Canada.com [https://338canada.com/]   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 14:31 Mental Health and Civic Engagement 16:44 The Importance of Voting and Civic Engagement 22:26 Navigating Political Choices: Candidates vs.Parties 31:44 Strategic Voting 37:52 The Role of Party Leadership in Voting Decisions 41:26 Complex Priorities in the Muslim Community 46:22 The Islamic Ethos and Immigration 49:22 The Impact of Voting on Global Issues 57:28 The Power of a Single Vote 59:54 Unity and Action in the Muslim Community 01:02:58 Closing Summary   📢 Stay Connected: ✅ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youtellmeacmp/ ✅ Click here for more episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYenBLgj0PbX4qPiInBhUOS6mkPikQLVN&si=DdgCCbnsAiu1OlOA   🎧 Listen on Other Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3uj6mGvvw3lNNSTUxW2E1a?si=04B-I-fDRimUAwViQsJj6w Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-tell-me-a-canadian-muslim-podcast/id1783214735   💡 About the Podcast: You Tell Me... A Canadian Muslim Podcast explores thelives, challenges, and successes of Muslims in the GTA and beyond. We’re here for honest conversations and real stories to learn, grow, and celebrate our community.   📩 Contact Us: For collaborations or inquiries, email us at: info@youtellmeacmp.ca

Faith & Mental Health: Understanding Mental Health in Our Community

Mental health is something that affects all of us, yet it’s still heavily stigmatized, especially in the Muslim community. In this episode of You Tell Me… A Canadian Muslim Podcast, I sit down with Marwa Mahmod, a Registered Psychotherapist and a key team member at Naseeha Mental Health, to have an open and honest conversation about the intersection of faith, mental health, therapy, and community support. Together, we break down misconceptions, discuss the role of faith in healing, and explore how organizations like Naseeha are making a real difference. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mental Health Awareness 04:38 Marwa Mahmood: Background and Journey to Therapy 15:37 Understanding Mental Health vs. Mental Illness 31:40 Naseeha Mental Health Services Overview 41:54 Media Influence on Mental Health Perception 47:01 Addressing Mental Health in Masjids 54:49 Future Initiatives and Expansions for Naseeha 58:21 Ways to Support Naseeha Mental Health 💡 Key Takeaways: 🔹 Mental health exists on a spectrum, not as a binary state 🔹 Seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness 💪 🔹 Cultural sensitivity in therapy makes a big difference 🔹 Faith-based approaches and modern therapy can work together 📞 Need Mental Health Support? Naseeha Helpline is available 24/7 and offers free, confidential support. Learn more at Naseeha.org 🛠 Support Naseeha Mental Health: 💰 Donate to support free mental health services: https://www.naseeha.org/donate 🤝 Volunteer with Naseeha: https://www.naseeha.org/volunteer 📢 Spread Awareness by sharing this video! 💬 Join the Conversation: What are your thoughts on mental health in Muslim communities? How can we bridge the gap between faith and therapy? Drop a comment below! 👇 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes of You Tell Me… A Canadian Muslim Podcast! 📢 Stay Connected: ✅ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youtellmeacmp/ ✅ Click here for more episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYenBLgj0PbX4qPiInBhUOS6mkPikQLVN&si=DdgCCbnsAiu1OlOA 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3uj6mGvvw3lNNSTUxW2E1a?si=04B-I-fDRimUAwViQsJj6w Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-tell-me-a-canadian-muslim-podcast/id1783214735 💡 About the Podcast: You Tell Me... A Canadian Muslim Podcast explores the lives, challenges, and successes of Muslims in the GTA and beyond. We’re here for honest conversations and real stories to learn, grow, and celebrate our community. 📩 Contact Us: For collaborations or inquiries, email us at: info@youtellmeacmp.ca #MentalHealth #Islam #FaithAndTherapy #NaseehaHelpline #YouTellMePodcast #MuslimMentalHealth #BreakingTheStigma #SelfCare #EmotionalWellbeing #FaithBasedHealing #SpiritualityAndHealing #MuslimWellness #TherapyMatters #HealingTogether #CommunitySupport #Mindfulness #MentalHealthAwareness

Women, Leadership & Faith: Inside Being ME Canada

Imagine a world where every Muslim woman feels empowered tolead and inspire change. At 'Being ME,' we’re not just a community; we’re amovement igniting the potential within every girl and woman. Join us as weexplore how empowering our women transforms entire communities. What doesempowerment mean to you?     Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Being Me Canada   15:40 Evolution of Being Me Canada   25:34 Building Trust and Community Connections   35:31 Optimism and Concern for Young Women   47:32 The Role of Parents in Youth Engagement   59:35 Vision for the Future of Being Me       📢 Stay Connected:   ✅ Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/youtellmeacmp/   ✅ Click here for more episodes:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYenBLgj0PbX4qPiInBhUOS6mkPikQLVN&si=DdgCCbnsAiu1OlOA     🎧 Listen on OtherPlatforms:   Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3uj6mGvvw3lNNSTUxW2E1a?si=04B-I-fDRimUAwViQsJj6w   Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-tell-me-a-canadian-muslim-podcast/id1783214735       💡 About the Podcast:   You Tell Me... A Canadian Muslim Podcast explores the lives,challenges, and successes of Muslims in the GTA and beyond. We’re here forhonest conversations and real stories to learn, grow, and celebrate ourcommunity.       🔗 Helpful Links:   Guest’s Website/Social Media:   https://www.instagram.com/beingmetoronto/   https://being-me.org/     📩 Contact Us:   For collaborations or inquiries, email us at:info@youtellmeacmp.ca