Author name: web-admin

Ash Meer is a filmmaker, animator, and designer. He shares his story of integration in America.  Ash has a BA in Philosophy from Emory University. His first film, “Stages of Integration” premiered at the 1991 Asian American Film Festival and screened at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Neighborhood Film and Video, the Whitney Museum and the […]

Naazish YarKhan has written for over 50 media outlets including Chicago Tribune, PRI, NPR, On Being, LeanIn.org. A small-business owner, she consults as a marketing communications strategist for non-profits and small businesses. She is also a college essay coach and founder of Writers Studio ( www.writersstudio.us) where her students have won national and international writing competitions, served as student reporters and been

Zainab Kahloon is a Muslim-American of Pakistani decent who lives in Lexington, Kentucky. She is currently pursuing a degree in Economics with a minor in Statistics at Harvard College. This story is part of “American Muslims”, a photo series created by Carlos Khalil Guzman, a photographer and activist currently based in NYC. The project is dedicated to capturing

Ema Mujic is a current sophomore at DePaul University. She shares her enriching story about how she decided to view her displacement from her native culture of Bosnia to cherishing her loved ones as her true meaning of home.   My name is Ema Mujic, and I am a currently a sophomore at DePaul University.

Nadia P Manzoor is a British Pakistani actor, writer, and producer, whose autobiographical  one-woman show, Burq Off! has had sold-out runs in New York, LA, San Francisco, London and Toronto. It has been called  a “Gutsy, honest, hilarious must-see!” by Deepak Chopra, and “Terrific” by The Economist. She is the co-creator and performer of Shugs

In her heartfelt story, Mai reflects her journey as a healthcare professional from Amman to Chicago. Her compassion, commitment, and dedication reflects her values.  Momarrida. In Arabic, this word translates to healer. It is also the only word used to refer to nurses back home in Amman. At five years old, my family and I

Muhammad Pirzada is an intern for MALA. In his story, he shares how growing up in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan influenced his journey as an American.   There are a lot of contradictions between Eastern countries and the Western World. However, the poverty, unjust practices and war can not be eliminated from our planet, until

Uzo is from Ukraine, and describes his unique background. His journey to the United States is spectacular, and he describes how music was a source of individuality and unity for him. Uzo also helped coordinate a safe space for Muslim students to pray at his university. He is a global DJ, and the Co-Founder of

Grishma Shah is a Mass-Media Consultant that works with filmmakers, actors, curators and film festivals. For the last three years, Grishma has been a film programmer for the Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) presented by Zee Cinema which takes place in the heart of Chicago. Latterly, she has ventured into event management, becoming the

Malika MacDonald Rushdan is Irish-American and the National Director of ICNA Relief USA’s Women’s Shelter Network. She was awarded the prestigious U.S. Senator John F. Kerry Leadership award and earned a fellowship at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. While with ICNA Relief she has developed a successful women’s transitional housing model, opening the firstt facility