The Safi Bros Podcast

Zahra Billoo joins the Safi Bros Podcast for a powerful conversation about growing up Muslim in America after 9/11, hijab, civil-rights advocacy, Muslim women’s leadership, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, mosque culture, workplace discrimination, Quran education and the emotional weight of defending the community.

This episode explores how Zahra turned fear into action, why Muslim women are often asked to do the work without being given the title, how anti-Sharia campaigns suppress Muslim expression, and what resilience looks like when pressure comes from outside society and inside community spaces. Zahra also reflects on Know Your Rights work, finding values-aligned people and the responsibility that comes with access and safety.

Guest bio: Zahra Billoo is a Muslim civil-rights lawyer, organizer and executive director working on Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism and community advocacy in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Chapters
00:00 - Welcome and introducing Zahra Billoo
01:06 - Being 17 after 9/11
03:38 - Outrage, citizenship and responsibility
05:28 - Faith, justice and learning to speak out
08:13 - Muslim women without enough role models
09:41 - MSA leadership and being told to lead from behind
11:16 - What leaders should hear about women’s spaces
12:37 - FBI visits and Know Your Rights work
16:28 - Anti-Sharia laws and fear campaigns
21:11 - Learning from women on the front lines
24:21 - Muslim Student Association and finding community
27:08 - Choosing what work to do and what to leave
31:18 - Family finances, work and law school
35:13 - Workplace hijab discrimination case
42:08 - Law school loneliness and values-aligned friends
44:22 - Joining CAIR and being trusted by the community
48:23 - Being a woman and feeling pushed out
48:36 - Quran memorisation and gendered barriers
51:58 - Relationships, marriage apps and public safety
55:43 - Marriage, support and public work
58:36 - Sami’s detention and visiting as lawyers
65:02 - Closing duas and final reflections

In this Safi Bros episode, Maryam Amir shares her journey through doubt, Quran, scholarship, and rediscovering Allah’s mercy. The conversation moves through her early questions about faith, the moment Umrah changed her heart, the importance of women in Islamic learning, and the need for scholarship that understands real people’s lives. Maryam speaks with honesty about spiritual anxiety, misunderstood teachings around women, and why the voice that pushes someone into despair should not be confused with revelation. A reflective and hope-filled conversation for anyone seeking faith with depth, mercy, and purpose.\n\nGuest bio: Maryam Amir is a hafiza, scholar, doctoral candidate, app founder, and advocate for female scholarship.

In this deeply compelling episode of the Safi Bros Podcast, Ahmed and Ibrahim sit down with Sheikh Suleiman Hani for a conversation on Muslim identity, leadership, resilience, and responsibility.

Sheikh Suleiman reflects on his Palestinian family’s journey, the powerful story of his father building a mosque from a broken-down warehouse in Detroit, and the racism and Islamophobia his family faced while serving the community.

The discussion expands into some of the most urgent challenges facing Muslim youth today: religious rigidity, isolation, the attention economy, toxic social media consumption, leadership failures in our institutions, Gaza, and the need for sincere Muslims to stop waiting and start giving back.

This episode is a reminder that every Muslim has something to offer, and that true leadership is forged through persistence, service, consultation, and an unbreakable connection to the Ummah.

Imam Abdul Hafiz shares a powerful life journey shaped by faith, identity, Black history, justice and community responsibility.

In this episode, he reflects on growing up through racism and exclusion, the pull of the Black Panther movement, the prison system, reclaiming identity through Islam, and the lessons that helped him build a lasting marriage and life of service. The conversation moves through painful history with clarity, warmth and conviction, offering reminders about dignity, discipline, faith and what it means to stand for your people without losing your soul.

A huge thanks to Imam Abdul Hafiz for such an amazing discussion.

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Dr. Ghanim Al-Jumaily is a physicist, optical engineer, humanitarian and former Iraqi diplomat whose journey has taken him from Baghdad to NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, and later into relief work and public service for Iraq.

In this episode, Dr. Ghanim shares how his mother's deep belief in education shaped his family, how his work in optics connected to major space missions, and why the suffering of Iraq pushed him to step away from technology and dedicate himself to serving his people. The conversation explores science and faith, mission-driven leadership, corruption, diplomacy, AI, rebuilding institutions and what it means to use your life in service of the ummah.

A huge thanks to Dr. Ghanim for such an amazing discussion.

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Raised in a family that helped build Human Appeal Australia from the ground up, Omar Al-Jamal has spent his life serving communities both locally and abroad. From refugee camps and humanitarian missions to leadership programs that shape the next generation of Muslim leaders, his journey is a powerful example of service, purpose, and impact.

A huge thanks to Omar for such an amazing discussion.

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Mohamad Zaoud is a strategist, entrepreneur and community leader whose career has spanned global media, corporate leadership, Islamic philanthropy and institution building. Having held senior leadership roles at Al Jazeera, where he helped shape brand strategy, audience growth and global engagement initiatives, Mohamad brings a unique perspective on leadership, influence and impact, drawing from decades of experience across the Muslim world.

In this episode, he shares his journey from Islamic studies and corporate life to global media and waqf development, offering profound insights on purpose, legacy, sustainable Muslim institutions and what it truly means to build something that benefits generations long after you're gone.

A huge thanks to Mohamad for such an amazing discussion.

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Chris Abdur-Rahman Blauvelt is the Founder and CEO of LaunchGood, the world's largest Muslim crowdfunding platform, which has helped raise over $1 billion for causes across the globe. A former atheist who embraced Islam after a personal search for truth, Chris shares his journey of faith, entrepreneurship, resilience, and building institutions that empower the global Muslim community.

A huge thanks to Chris for such an amazing discussion.

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As a driving force behind Freshly Grounded, one of the pioneering podcasts in the Muslim media space, Faisal Choudhry has helped shape conversations that have inspired audiences around the world. In this episode, we explore his journey through entrepreneurship, marketing, faith, and community building, and discuss the power of storytelling to create lasting impact.

A huge thanks to Faisal for such an amazing discussion.

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Dr Ismahan Abdullahi is a respected Muslim leader, advocate, and public voice dedicated to empowering communities through faith, service, and principled leadership. In this episode, she shares powerful insights on Muslim women in leadership, identity, politics, community reform, and the responsibility Muslims have to create meaningful change for the Ummah.

A huge thanks to Dr Ismahan for such an amazing discussion.

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Hassan Wadi is an Islamic speaker, mentor, and humanitarian actively involved in youth development, leadership training, and global relief work through organisations including Human Concern International. In this episode, he shares his journey from the fitness and self-development industry into Islamic education and community service, reflecting on sacrifice, sincerity, leadership, and building a life centered around Allah.

A huge thanks to Hassan for such an amazing discussion.

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Qasim Rashid Ahmad is an educator, humanitarian, media founder, and community leader who has spent decades building institutions focused on Islamic education, social reform, and humanitarian impact. In this episode, he shares his journey from financial hardship and prison chaplaincy work to founding schools, leading large-scale charitable initiatives, and navigating the realities of media, leadership, and purpose in the modern world.

A huge thanks to Qasim Rashid Ahmad for such an amazing discussion.

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Guzelya Marisova is a Taekwondo world champion, multilingual professional, and Author who shares her journey from elite competition and migration struggles to faith, identity, and purpose. In this episode, she opens up about wearing hijab, martial arts discipline, and balancing ambition with Islamic values.

A huge thanks to Guzelya for such an amazing discussion

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Firdaus Wong Wai Hung is a prominent Malaysian da’wah speaker and founder of Multiracial Reverted Muslims (MRM), known for his work in supporting reverts and breaking cultural misconceptions about Islam. Through his global outreach and educational initiatives, he has become a leading voice in presenting Islam with clarity, compassion, and intellectual depth.

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Muhammad Nuruddeen Lemu OON is a globally respected Islamic scholar, educator, and peacebuilder who has spent decades shaping minds and leading impactful da’wah initiatives across more than 40 countries. In this episode, he shares powerful insights on faith, leadership, suffering, and what it truly means to be a thinking Muslim in today’s world.

A huge thanks to Muhammad Nuruddeen Lemu for such an amazing discussion.

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Actor and model, Aliza Kim, opens up about the hidden realities of the entertainment industry and the uncomfortable situations she was forced to navigate behind the scenes. From the pressures and unspoken expectations to moments that challenged her values, these experiences pushed her on a deeper search for truth, ultimately guiding her to Islam and a complete shift in perspective.

A huge thanks to Aliza for such an amazing discussion.

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Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than most people realize. But what does that actually mean for our future?

In this episode of the Safi Bros Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Waleed Kadous, a leading AI researcher and former engineering leader at companies like Google, Uber, and Canva. With decades of experience building technology used by hundreds of millions of people, Dr. Waleed shares a rare inside perspective on the world of artificial intelligence.

A huge thanks to Dr Waleed Kadous for such an amazing discussion.

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Hassan Shibly is a civil rights attorney and Executive Director of CAIR Florida who has dedicated his career to defending Muslim communities against discrimination and Islamophobia. In this episode, we discuss the post-9/11 reality for Muslims in America, confronting government overreach, leading with courage under pressure, and why faith, legal awareness, and principled action are essential for the next generation.

A huge thanks to Hassan Shibly for such an amazing discussion.

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In this episode of The Safi Bros Podcast - Singer, Actor, Motivational Consultant, Host, Chef and Father, Dato’ Fazley Yaakob shares the trials that shaped his legacy beyond the spotlight.

A huge thanks to Fazley for such an amazing discussion.

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In this episode, we sit down once again with our brother Ahmad Hraichie for a real catch-up. We talk about how we met, what built our friendship, and what brotherhood really looks like, plus we unpack social media, jealousy, and staying genuine with your intentions while continuing to show up for the community.

A huge thanks to Ahmad for such an amazing discussion, we genuinely love having these moments to reconnect and reflect on the journey.

For the video podcast, find us on:

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