In this episode of Islamic Relief USA’s “What A Relief!” podcast, host B.C. Dodge is joined by special guests Jibreel Salaam and Mohamed Hassan, who are the hosts of The Young and Muslim Podcast. If you haven’t heard their most listened to podcasts, you definitely want to check them out (along with all the episodes!)—their commentary on what it means to be young and Muslim in America is intriguing, contemporary, hilarious, and refreshing.
They bring some of that same energy to this unique “What a Relief!” podcast episode, where they share an inside scoop about how their childhoods led them to the creative work they are now doing.
Friendship Formed from Two Different Paths
After Mohamed gives his family’s background, he and host B.C. Dodge trade stories about visiting Egypt. Jibreel jumps right in to discuss how few people beyond his immediate family members were Muslim, a different experience from Mohamed’s.
Jibreel shares that while he grew up in a small Muslim community, it was in a way that ended up making his Muslim identity stronger in the end. He didn’t go to high school with any Muslims, which it made it that much sweeter to meet someone named Mohamed during his first day of class in college—and that’s where it all began.
“He had everything he wanted; I lost everything I had,” Mohamed shares, as a way to explain how for him coming to college was like losing a Muslim community, whereas for Jibreel it was finding his first school-based Muslim friend.
The two spent the first Ramadan away from their families together, a month filled with food and friendship that created unforgettable bonding experiences, sealing the deal for this soon-to-be best friendship.
Claiming and Navigating Your Muslim Identity
The conversation continues to discuss Islam and why saying the testimony of faith (shahada) in a significant way is such an important identity marker, whether you are a convert or born Muslim.
The two men also address with admirable honesty about how college can be a period where Muslims (like anyone) make mistakes, but they share relatable insight about the layers of challenges about why those mistakes happen. The chaplain at their university ended up playing a critical role in both of their experiences.
These special, down-to-earth guests go on to discuss what’s next after college, what motivated them to start a podcast, AM radio (yes, you read that right), and more. We think this episode’s so good, it’s worthy of Apple Top Podcasts. But don’t take our word for it, find out for yourself by listening in now. You don’t want to miss this insightful conversation.
**And now you can reach out to us at our new email address: warp@irusa.org!**
“What a Relief!” is the official podcast of Islamic Relief USA. Hosted by digital media specialist B.C. Dodge, IRUSA’s “What a Relief!” puts a human face on what’s going on in the world and how you can enact positive change in it. New episodes every week!
LISTEN. SHARE. REPEAT.