Every two minutes, a mother dies from preventable complications during pregnancy or childbirth.

It's a heartbreaking statistic—but one that Isra Chaker refuses to accept.

In this episode of Arab Is Me, Said Durrah sits down with Isra Chaker, Founder & CEO of Every Pregnancy, to discuss one of the most overlooked issues in our communities: maternal health.

Isra shares her own experience with a complicated pregnancy, the inspiration behind launching Every Pregnancy, and why she believes every community has a role to play in ensuring no mother dies from preventable causes.

Together, they explore why conversations around pregnancy, fertility, postpartum health, and motherhood are still considered taboo, and what it will take to change that.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Why maternal mortality remains a global crisis.
• Isra's personal pregnancy journey and how it changed her life.
• Why pregnancy and fertility are conversations we need to stop avoiding.
• How simple, affordable interventions are already saving mothers' lives.
• The role faith, philanthropy, and community can play in protecting mothers and babies.
• How men, families, and friends can better support women during pregnancy and postpartum.
• Why investing in mothers is one of the most impactful investments we can make.

And because this is Arab Is Me, the episode wraps up with our signature Al Bab rapid-fire questions, where Isra shares her favorite Syrian dishes, reflects on Arab culture, family traditions, and answers a few fun questions you won't hear anywhere else.

Whether you're a parent, hope to become one, work in healthcare or humanitarian aid, or simply want to better understand the experiences of mothers around the world, this conversation is filled with insight, compassion, and hope.

Guest: Isra Chaker
Organization: Every Pregnancy

Subscribe to Arab Is Me for new conversations every Wednesday featuring inspiring voices from across the Arab world and diaspora.

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Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique.

🎙️ New episodes released regularly.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests.

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Linda Sarsour has spent decades organizing communities, advocating for justice, and becoming one of the most recognizable Palestinian-American voices in the world. But this conversation goes far beyond the headlines.

On this episode of Arab Is Me, Linda joins Said Durrah for an honest conversation about home, identity, family, and what it truly means to fight for something you love.

She reflects on being denied entry into Palestine, why no one can take your homeland out of your heart, the beauty of growing up Arab, and the responsibility we all have to build stronger communities. Together, they explore the difference between social media and real impact, why solidarity begins with showing up for others, and how ordinary people can create extraordinary change.

Along the way, Linda shares personal stories from her childhood in Brooklyn, lessons from her parents, unforgettable moments from Palestine, and why hope continues to guide her work.

And because this is Arab Is Me, the episode ends with our signature Al Bab segment, where Linda takes on rapid-fire questions about Arab culture, weddings, hasad, Fairuz vs. Umm Kulthum, and much more.

Whether you've followed Linda's journey for years or are meeting her for the first time, this episode offers a side of her that audiences rarely get to see—personal, reflective, humorous, and deeply rooted in what it means to call a place home.

Connect with Linda Sarsour
Instagram: @lsarsour
Website: lindasarsour.com

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Arab Is Me on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every Wednesday.

Send us Fan Mail

Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique.

🎙️ New episodes released regularly.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests.

🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com
📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast
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In this episode of Arab Is Me, host Said Durrah sits down with Omar Kurdi—a CEO, musician, poet, actor, author, and community leader whose life has been guided by one simple philosophy:

Born in San Francisco and raised between Muscat, Oman and Amman, Jordan, Omar has spent his life building bridges through leadership, creativity, and service. Most recently, his self-funded music video celebrating Jordan's historic FIFA World Cup qualification reached more than one million views in just two weeks, introducing his music to audiences around the world.

But this conversation goes far beyond music.

Together, Said and Omar explore what it means to embrace your Arab identity, preserve your family's stories, pursue creativity without fear, and build a legacy defined not by titles—but by purpose. They discuss community organizing, nonprofit leadership, poetry, theater, music, faith, storytelling, and why the people who change the world are often those courageous enough to dream before anyone else believes it's possible.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up between America, Oman, and Jordan
• The story behind Omar's million-view World Cup anthem
• What it truly means to be Arab
• Building community through leadership and service
• Preserving family history before it's lost
• Poetry, music, theater, and writing a deeply personal novel
• Authenticity, purpose, and chasing meaningful work
• Why everyone should dare to dream bigger
• The legacy we leave behind

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, advocate, or simply searching for purpose, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to choose between your passions. Sometimes the greatest thing you can do is simply become the person you were created to be.

🌐 Website: https://omarkurdi.net

📸 Instagram: @omarkurdiofficial

🎵 YouTube: Kurdi Music Official

Hosted by comedian Said Durrah, Arab Is Me explores the stories, cultures, identities, and experiences that shape what it means to be Arab today. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, advocates, entertainers, and changemakers, we celebrate the diversity, resilience, humor, and humanity of our community—one story at a time.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Follow Arab Is Me

🎙️ YouTube: @arabismepodcast

📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast

🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast

𝕏 X: @arabismepod

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Arab Is Me are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host. This podcast is intended to encourage thoughtful conversation, celebrate Arab voices, and foster greater understanding through storytelling.

Send us Fan Mail

Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique.

🎙️ New episodes released regularly.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests.

🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com
📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast
🎧 Apple Podcasts:
🎧 Spotify:
📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast
🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast
📘 Facebook: