Akram Shibly is a filmmaker and screenwriter whose work focuses on storytelling, community, and the power of film to capture real-life experiences. He is the director of Thank You for Thinking of Me, a documentary that follows the aftermath of a tragedy during a Black Lives Matter protest in Buffalo in 2020.

In today’s episode of CAIR On AIR, Akram joins me to discuss the story behind his documentary and the tragic incident that brought two people together whose lives were forever changed.

We discuss the importance of trust and care in documentary filmmaking, including how he balanced capturing the family’s experiences with respecting their privacy and personal boundaries.

Our conversation covers the misrepresentation of Muslims in the media, the importance of authentic storytelling, and why Muslim filmmakers should have the freedom to tell diverse stories about their communities.

Akram explains the challenges of independent filmmaking and the responsibility of Muslim institutions to support artists. He also reveals how to pursue a creative career without taking unnecessary financial risks.

Join us today as we dive into the story behind Thank You for Thinking of Me, the power of community advocacy, challenging Muslim stereotypes through film, supporting Muslim filmmakers, and how storytelling can inspire meaningful change.

In this episode, Ameer Al Khatahtbeh, founder and CEO of Muslim.co, explains how he built a leading Muslim media publication. He shares how his early internet use and a clear understanding of his Muslim and Palestinian identity led him to make a place for Muslim stories, which major news outlets often ignore.

Ameer talks about changes in Muslim media, noting the rise of many Muslim voices online and their collective impact on issues like human rights. He also covers the problem of platform censorship, telling of Muslim.com's ban in India. He stresses the need to support young Muslims in media, showing how individual efforts in their chosen areas build a strong community that can speak up for what is right.

Chapters:

01:03:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction
01:51:20 Early Internet to Journalism Calling
05:59:59 Finding Purpose in Muslim Stories
06:51:59 The Birth of Muslim.com
01:17:30 Overcoming Self Doubt and Launching
03:13:00 Evolution of Muslim Media
04:27:30 Beyond Trends: Muslim Exposure
05:10:00 Fighting Censorship and Building Protection
07:07:00 The India Ban and New Censorship
09:23:00 Encouraging Youth and Community Impact

Explore community building strategies and the fight for fair media representation.

Dr. Amelia Noor, PhD, is an Associate Faculty member in the Department of International Health at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her work focuses on suicide prevention, injury and violence prevention, and understanding the social and institutional factors that contribute to mental health challenges.

In today’s episode, Dr. Amelia joined me to discuss the mental health crisis affecting the American Muslim community, the growing concern surrounding suicide, and how these issues can be properly addressed.

Dr. Amelia shared her personal experiences with discrimination, health challenges, and suicidal thoughts, as well as the factors that influenced her commitment to suicide prevention.

We explored how Islamophobia, racism, xenophobia, and discrimination contribute to emotional stress among Muslims. We also discussed the connection between discrimination and a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Dr. Amelia also explained the importance of understanding different risk factors, why communities need to prioritize prevention before a crisis occurs, and how to create a culture where people feel comfortable seeking help.

Join us today as we discuss suicide prevention in the American Muslim community, the relationship between discrimination and mental health, the importance of community-wide safety planning, available crisis support resources, the role of faith in finding meaning and purpose, and much more.