Fighting For Faith - It doesn't end here!

By The Digital Sisterhood

Fighting For Faith - It doesn't end here!

At The Digital Sisterhood, we're proud to have produced one of our most impactful and essential seasons yet, one that we refuse to let fade into silence once it concludes. Our mission? To ignite an ongoing dialogue about the critical challenges facing our Muslim sisters and brothers. The struggles of one resonate with us all. We're here to emphasize that we're not isolated individuals; we're a collective, and every voice, every issue, matters.

Why Fighting For Faith?

In a world rife with misconceptions and prejudices, "Fighting for Faith" serves as a powerful antidote. This groundbreaking series isn't just about storytelling—it's about bulldozing stereotypes and amplifying the voices of strong Muslim women, creating a tapestry of diverse experiences that weave together in a celebration of united Ummah. It’s a call to action. It’s a rallying cry against assimilation. And it’s an experience that transcends borders,  connecting listeners from all corners of the globe.

Our Purpose as an Ummah 

“The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever - Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Our intentions are to increase awareness of the struggles Muslim women are encountering across the globe, with the intention to support, and pray for those who strive to continue living.

Inspired by them is why we fight for faith—one story at a time, empowering women to stand tall, resilient in their Imaan.

Topics we covered and understanding those causes:

In a climate of global Islamophobia and oppression, we see the same unwavering resilience and determination of the first women who embraced Islam echoed in the women that endure and resist in Gaza, France, China, Sudan and beyond.

We also showcased stories of women who have fought for their faith in their homes, in the public sphere, and even in their own hearts, each declaring their islamic identity unapologetically.The sisters in Season 4 have all admirably used their different skills to help their communities. 

Listen, Reflect and make a difference, no matter how big or small:

In our first episode “Bending the Knee”, our host Cadar battles the islamophobia that plagues western academia first hand. Meanwhile across the globe, in “Up Until the Front Door”, Loubna taught us that France's hijab ban isn't just a law, it's a violation of basic rights 

In 2024 alone, cases of islamophobia have skyrocketed. Yet, behind every hijab is a story of resilience and determination Fortunately, there are avenues of support available:

About Us (tellmamauk.org)

UN experts warn Islamophobia rising to “alarming levels” | OHCHR 

“If I Must Die” 

Shayma, a young Gazan, tugged at our listeners heart strings when she shed light on her daily battles during the Palestinian genocide.Now, they are seeking vital funds to rebuild their lives. You can support them through the Shayma GoFundMe campaign. 

Her narrative mirrors the plight of the 2 million Palestinians enduring hardship in the besieged Gaza Strip. Join the movement in solidarity by advocating for their rights through protests. More on protestor rights can be found here:

      “Dada, I Won’t Forget Who We Are” 

      This episode was a wake up call to the world. Subhi and Jewher talked us throughout the brutal treatment of our Uyghur brothers and sisters. Fortunately, initiatives such as the Uyghur boycott chrome extension and resources like the book "Jewher Ilham: A Uyghur's Fight to Free Her Father" on Amazon shed light on these atrocities.Take action today by utilizing these valuable resources to shine a light on these injustices.

      - Uyghur boycott chrome extension 

        “Sudan’s Collective Grief Is Never Ending” 

        Admirably, the women of Sudan have risen up to lead the fight for liberation and revolution - in a place dubbed as the worst country to be a woman. The situation demands action. Help make a difference today. Donate to support two exceptional young Sudanese women to finish their university studies abroad and restart their lives. You can use any of the donation links below to help:

        • gofundme.com/f/hometaxsd
        • Paypal: Paypal.me/hometax
        • https://revolut.me/hussiiii
        • https://cash.app/%C2%A3HussiRojiblanco
        • Bankak: 1582083

          “Does Allah Hate Me?

          In this episode we confronted taboos head-on and navigated through the complexities of belief and struggle. Intisar fearlessly shared her daily battles to reconcile her emotions with her unyielding faith in Allah SWT. If you or anyone you know is facing similar battles, these resources can help them reconnect with their faith:

            Support groups signposting?

            The Forgotten People - charity and support groups 

            When faith becomes a battleground, who guides our vulnerable youth? In Sarah’s episode, we confronted the stark truth of misplaced trust and the devastating consequences it can entail, shedding light on the urgent need for vigilance and support.. If you or someone you know is seeking support or has questions about the deen the right answer is always to ask the people of knowledge. This extends to well known scholars or even to connect with the Imam your local masjid.  

            Furthermore, the concept of radicalization, although relatively new, gained exponential traction since the mid-2000s, following the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks in New York and London, respectively. We are in fact witnessing first hand the double standards in play where one group such as ISIS can be labelled as terrorists while 1,200 Americans are currently serving  the IDF and are not only able to return home freely but are also celebrated. A kindness and a luxury our sister Sarah in EP7 & & unfortunately never got to experience.

            Raising your voice:

            “Speak the truth even when it is bitter.” [Ibn Hibban; Hilyat’ul Awliya Wa Tabaqat’ul Asfiya: (narrated by) Abu Dhar Ghifari (RA)].

            These stories are a small window into the struggle facing our ummah. Spreading these stories or sharing their  triumphs, lessons, or defining moments, is what this season is all about and is our responsibility. We wish we had the time and opportunities to explore stories in Yemen, Syria, Myanmar and so many more and we hope in time we get to tel the rich stories and reflect the diversity of our brothers and sisters in Islam globally.

            Now we ask you instead to raise your voice. Contribute to the conversation we started by using #TDSFightingForFaith on social media. Or sending us your story or thoughts to podcast@thedigitalsisterhood.com with a short audio clip which could be featured in an exclusive behind-the-scenes episode 

             

            Ways to take action:

            We have shared tons of resources on each episode, we urge you to go beyond that, take what we have shared and do more. Here some action points will leave you with

            • 📖 Striving to Learn about the Islamic Perspective: that is relevant to the current event: Signs of Bani-Israel coming to power in the land & how it will end as clarified in the Quran & Sunnah
            • 🎨 Creating Ways: to utilize personal skills, fields of profession opportunities to offer support "And if he cannot, then with his tongue...'
            • 📺 Following the Current Events from Trusted Sources
            • 🎙️ Spread awareness, keep sharing and leaving comments breaking the algorithm
            • 📱Engaging with Content: that is supportive of the Palestinians by following, sharing, leaving comments, & breaking the algorithm
            • ❌ Boycotting Works! Keep at it!
            • ✅ Use the correct terminology to convey the truth and expose lies
            • 🪧 Participate in protests and supportive events if you are able to
            • 🤲🏽 Never underestimate the power of duaa

              In times of uncertainty, the timeless wisdom of the Quran and Sunnah serves as our guiding light. As we reflect on the stories we shared this season let us heed the words of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

              'Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue. And if he is unable to do so, then with his heart, and that is the weakest level of faith.'"

              - Sahih Bukhari

              May Allah Accept it of all of us - Ameen

              Blog written by - Mariya Shan

              LET'S BE FRIENDS