http://speakingoffaith.org/programs/2009/muslim-voices/yourstories.shtml Revealing Ramadan is a daily, limited-run audio series featuring the voices of Muslims from Madrid to Dallas sharing their stories and encounters about the meaning of Ramadan and how they incorporate those experiences into their personal faith journeys. Each day of Ramadan we at Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett will release a new story, beginning on August 21st, 2009, which will later be broadcast on public radio. © 2009 American Public Media. All rights reserved. en-us Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:10:00 CST mail@speakingoffaith.org (Trent Gilliss) No Speaking of Faith's special series featuring the voices of 30 Muslims who share their personal stories about Ramadan. American Public Media Revealing Ramadan is a daily, limited-run audio series featuring the voices of Muslims from Madrid to Dallas sharing their stories and encounters about the meaning of Ramadan and how they incorporate those experiences into their personal faith journeys. Each day of Ramadan we at Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett will release a new story, beginning on August 21st, 2009, which will later be broadcast on public radio. American Public Media podcasts@americanpublicmedia.org No Our 29th voice is an American-born woman who says that her conversion to Islam has made her a better feminist. She is editor-in-chief of "America's Muslim Family Magazine" and lives with her husband and four children in suburban Chicago. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=665265#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/19/20090918_ramadan_fp_ansari_128.mp3 Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:59:00 CST Kari Ansari, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Kari Ansari and the gift of Ramadan that is worth waiting for each year. Our 29th voice is an American-born woman who says that her conversion to Islam has made her a better feminist. She is editor-in-chief of "America's Muslim Family Magazine" and lives with her husband and four children in suburban Chicago. 2:07 ramadan, conversion, fasting, prayer, feminisim, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our 28th voice in this series is a man who converted to Islam more than 15 years ago. Saeed Purcell "passed through" other faiths before becoming a Muslim. The turning point is when he read Malcolm X's autobiography, which led him to read the Qur'an. He recollects one of his first Ramadans, when he spent the last ten days alone in a mosque praying and fasting and spiritually cleansing himself. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=668174#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/18/20090917_ramadan_fp_purcell_128.mp3 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:59:00 CST Saeed Purcell, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Saeed Purcell recalls when he spent the last ten days of Ramadan in a spiritual retreat. Our 28th voice in this series is a man who converted to Islam more than 15 years ago. Saeed Purcell "passed through" other faiths before becoming a Muslim. The turning point is when he read Malcolm X's autobiography, which led him to read the Qur'an. He recollects one of his first Ramadans, when he spent the last ten days alone in a mosque praying and fasting and spiritually cleansing himself. 6:19 ramadan, conversion, night of power, fasting, prayer, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr The 27th voice in this series is a young African-American woman who recently graduated from the University of Michigan. For the first nine years of her life, she was raised in a idyllic Muslim village nestled into the mountains of New Mexico, just north of Los Alamos. She shares two stories: one about celebrating Ramadan under the stars of the Southwest and the other of breaking their fast with three strangers at a dollar store. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=664484#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/17/20090916_ramadan_fp_alamin_128.mp3 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:59:00 CST Sakina Al-Amin, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Sakina Al-Amin shares stories of reading Qur'an and sharing samosas with strangers in a dollar store. The 27th voice in this series is a young African-American woman who recently graduated from the University of Michigan. For the first nine years of her life, she was raised in a idyllic Muslim village nestled into the mountains of New Mexico, just north of Los Alamos. She shares two stories: one about celebrating Ramadan under the stars of the Southwest and the other of breaking their fast with three strangers at a dollar store. 6:41 ramadan, feminism, new mexico, michigan, iftar, fasting, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our 26th voice in this series was raised Presbyterian in Oxford, Mississippi and later moved to Philadelphia. But, with the social justice movements of the 1960's, her parents and she grew more secular. While in college, she began reading feminist authors, including a leading Muslim scholar on the veil, and a Somali man who embodied these principles. She later converted and is now a teacher and educator of peace conflict studies in Africa. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=663106#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/17/20090915_ramadan_fp_schwoebel_128.mp3 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Mary Hope Schwoebel, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Mary Hope Schwoebel talks about conversion, feminism, and practicing what she believes. Our 26th voice in this series was raised Presbyterian in Oxford, Mississippi and later moved to Philadelphia. But, with the social justice movements of the 1960's, her parents and she grew more secular. While in college, she began reading feminist authors, including a leading Muslim scholar on the veil, and a Somali man who embodied these principles. She later converted and is now a teacher and educator of peace conflict studies in Africa. 4:18 ramadan, feminism, somali, convert, social justice, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our 25th voice grew up in inner-city Philadelphia and is now a professor at Shenandoah University in Leesburg, Virginia. Through the formative influence of his father, Islam provided the framework to escape the drugs and crime of most of his childhood friends. One of his first Ramadan celebrations also allowed him to see the many colors of Muslims he worshipped with. And now, decades later, his daughter is teaching him new things about faith during Islam's holiest month. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=664237#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/15/20090914_ramadan_fp_davis_128.mp3 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Miles Davis, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Miles Davis on the many colors and ideas of Ramadan, and its impact on a young boy from Philly. Our 25th voice grew up in inner-city Philadelphia and is now a professor at Shenandoah University in Leesburg, Virginia. Through the formative influence of his father, Islam provided the framework to escape the drugs and crime of most of his childhood friends. One of his first Ramadan celebrations also allowed him to see the many colors of Muslims he worshipped with. And now, decades later, his daughter is teaching him new things about faith during Islam's holiest month. 5:46 ramadan, multiculturalism, prayer, philadelphia, black power, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr On this 24th day of Ramadan, a teacher who grew up in Syracuse, New York and now lives in Chicago with her family. She recalls celebrating one of her first Ramadans, while teaching third-graders in Dubai, and how "scared" she was at first and how "horrible" her first day of fasting was. Like most other things in Islam, she says, it takes time to learn how to be a practicing Muslim. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=662235#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/14/20090913_ramadan_fp_clement_128.mp3 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Hilarie Clement, Mitch Hanley, American Public Media Hilarie Clement reflects on a "horrible" first day of fasting during Ramadan in Dubai. On this 24th day of Ramadan, a teacher who grew up in Syracuse, New York and now lives in Chicago with her family. She recalls celebrating one of her first Ramadans, while teaching third-graders in Dubai, and how "scared" she was at first and how "horrible" her first day of fasting was. Like most other things in Islam, she says, it takes time to learn how to be a practicing Muslim. 4:32 ramadan, fasting, dubai, convert, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr The 23rd voice in this series, Eli Smart, grew up in California and converted to Islam in his early 20s. Now 37, he lives in Michigan -- along with his mother and family -- and says that Dearborn''s centralized Muslim community gives him a sense of what it's like living in a Muslim country during Ramadan. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=662378#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/13/20090912_ramadan_fp_smart_128.mp3 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Eli Smart, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Eli Smart on living in Dearborn, Michigan during Ramadan. The 23rd voice in this series, Eli Smart, grew up in California and converted to Islam in his early 20s. Now 37, he lives in Michigan -- along with his mother and family -- and says that Dearborn''s centralized Muslim community gives him a sense of what it's like living in a Muslim country during Ramadan. 5:13 ramadan, fasting, michigan, family, worship, community, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our 22nd voice in this series is Ilana Alazzeh, a student at Smith College in Massachusetts. Growing up in California, Texas, and Virginia, she talks about spending Ramadan with a family rich in religious diversity, and driving while singing Jewish and Christmas songs during Ramadan. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=664335#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/12/20090911_ramadan_fp_alezzeh_128.mp3 Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Ilana Alazzeh, Mitch Hanley, American Public Media Ilana Alazzeh on family and singing during the overlapping seasons. Our 22nd voice in this series is Ilana Alazzeh, a student at Smith College in Massachusetts. Growing up in California, Texas, and Virginia, she talks about spending Ramadan with a family rich in religious diversity, and driving while singing Jewish and Christmas songs during the holiday season 4:14 ramadan, fasting, family, worship, community, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our 21st voice on this 11th of September is Anisa Abd el Fattah. She is an African-American woman from the Midwest who was raised in a family of Baptist ministers and converted to Islam 20 years ago. She's the founder of the National Association of Muslim American Women, and tells two Ramadan stories about an iftar faux pas and the beautiful recitation of her 7-year-old son. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=663187#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/11/20090910_ramadan_fp_fattah_128.mp3 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Anisa Abd el Fattah, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Anisa Abd el Fattah describes an iftar faux pas and the lesson of a child. Our 21st voice on this 11th of September is Anisa Abd el Fattah. She is an African-American woman from the Midwest who was raised in a family of Baptist ministers and converted to Islam 20 years ago. She's the founder of the National Association of Muslim American Women, and tells two Ramadan stories about an iftar faux pas and the beautiful recitation of her 7-year-old son. 6:38 ramadan, fasting, quran, iftar, family, worship, community, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Muna Jondy is the 20th voice in this series. She's an immigration attorney who runs her own private practice in Michigan. Muna, who was born in the U.S., is one of nine children of immigrant parents. She says the simplicity of her faith streamlines her life, but that the society around her can make it difficult to raiser her children in an Islamic manner -- instilling values of kindness, consideration, and community. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=663720#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/10/20090909_ramadan_fp_jondy_128.mp3 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Muna Jondy, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Muna Jondy on the value of character and community during Ramadan. Muna Jondy is the 20th voice in this series. She's an immigration attorney who runs her own private practice in Michigan. Muna, who was born in the U.S., is one of nine children of immigrant parents. She says the simplicity of her faith streamlines her life, but that the society around her can make it difficult to raiser her children in an Islamic manner -- instilling values of kindness, consideration, and community. 4:14 ramadan, fasting, family, worship, community, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr The 19th voice in this series is Hussein Rashid, an Ismaili Shi'ah Muslim and professor at Hofstra University in New York. He recounts one of his favorite vigils of Ramadan, The Night of Power, and recites one of his favorite passages from the Quran, The Verse of Light. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=656624#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/09/20090908_ramadan_fp_rashid_128.mp3 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Hussein Rashid, Mitch Hanley, American Public Media Hussein Rashid recounts his favorite night of Ramadan and a passage from the Quran. The 19th voice in this series is Hussein Rashid, an Ismaili Shi'ah Muslim and professor at Hofstra University in New York. He recounts one of his favorite vigils of Ramadan, The Night of Power, and recites one of his favorite passages from the Quran, The Verse of Light. 5:23 ramadan, quran, night of power, fasting, prayer, mosque, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our 18th voice is Naazish Yarkhan, a writer and editor who grew up in Bombay, India and now lives in suburban Chicago. She tells the story of celebrating Eids in her native country and how much more joyous it is now in the U.S. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=658042#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/08/20090907_ramadan_fp_yarkhan_128.mp3 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Naazish Yarkhan, Mitch Hanley, American Public Media Naazish Yarkhan recalls the differences of celebrating Eid in Bombay and Chicago. Our 18th voice is Naazish Yarkhan, a writer and editor who grew up in Bombay, India and now lives in suburban Chicago. She tells the story of celebrating Eids in her native country and how much more joyous it is now in the U.S. 5:31 ramadan, india, eid, fasting, prayer, mosque, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr On this 17th day of Ramadan, Reuben Jackson, an African-American man who converted to Islam in May 2001. In the years prior to his conversion, he immersed himself in Islam's sacred texts and memorized prayers by Yusef Islam -- Cat Stevens. His Ramadan reflection tells about the support he received early on from friends at his local mosque to trainers at the gym. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=663142#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/07/20090906_ramadan_fp_jackson_128.mp3 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Reuben Jackson, Mitch Hanley, American Public Media Reuben Jackson on the support during his early years as a Muslim and humor as a way to understanding. On this 17th day of Ramadan, Reuben Jackson, an African-American man who converted to Islam in May 2001. In the years prior to his conversion, he immersed himself in Islam's sacred texts and memorized prayers by Yusef Islam -- Cat Stevens. His Ramadan reflection tells about the support he received early on from friends at his local mosque to trainers at the gym. 3:58 ramadan, black, african-american, convert, mosque, fasting, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our 16th voice is Parisa Popalzai, an Afghani-American woman who immigrated to California after the Soviets invaded her home country in 1979. She is an American Muslim who didn't grow up with Muslim friends and, in the process, began to lose her religious identity. Her year of studying abroad in the world's most populous Muslim country gave her a new perspective on the month of Ramadan, and her religious identity. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=660848#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/06/20090905_ramadan_fp_popalzai_128.mp3 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Parisa Popalzai, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Parisa Popalzai discovers her religious identity while studying in the world's most populous Muslim country. Our 16th voice is Parisa Popalzai, an Afghani-American woman who immigrated to California after the Soviets invaded her home country in 1979. She is an American Muslim who didn't grow up with Muslim friends and, in the process, began to lose her religious identity. Her year of studying abroad in the world's most populous Muslim country gave her a new perspective on the month of Ramadan, and her religious identity. 3:04 ramadan, afghanistan, indonesia, mosque, iftar, fasting, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr The 15th voice in this series is Ny'Kisha Pettiford, an African-American woman who works for a health care communications company. She grew up in a Christian household -- her mother Catholic, her father non-denominational -- and converted to Islam while in college. She talks about how her family celebrates holidays and the cultural warmth of her local mosque during the month of Ramadan. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=670777#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/05/20090904_ramadan_fp_pettiford_128.mp3 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Ny'Kisha Pettiford, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Ny'Kisha Pettiford on family holidays and cultural diversity in her local mosque. The 15th voice in this series is Ny'Kisha Pettiford, an African-American woman who works for a health care communications company. She grew up in a Christian household -- her mother Catholic, her father non-denominational -- and converted to Islam while in college. She talks about how her family celebrates holidays and the cultural warmth of her local mosque during the month of Ramadan. 2:52 ramadan, conversion, mosque, iftar, fasting, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our 14th voice is Steven Longden, a Mancunian who converted to Islam in 1993. He tells the story of dressing up for prayers at a local mosque for one of his first Ramadans and his recollection of a beautiful recitation of the Qur'an. He also shares his own Arabic recitation. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=661163#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/04/20090903_ramadan_fp_longden_128.mp3 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Steven Longden, Mitch Hanley, American Public Media Steven Longden on dressing up for his first Ramadan and the beauty of Qur'anic recitation. Our 14th voice is Steven Longden, a Mancunian who converted to Islam in 1993. He tells the story of dressing up for prayers at a local mosque for one of his first Ramadans and his recollection of a beautiful recitation of the Qur'an. He also shares his own Arabic recitation. 5:08 ramadan, conversion, mosque, iftar, fasting, quran, arabic, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our 13th voice is Nadia Sheikh Bandukda. She is a self-described "by-choice conservative Muslim female born in America, who studied in Saudi Arabia and Teaneck, New Jersey." She recently graduated from college with a degree in political science and now works at a non-profit focused on immigration issues, and is at work on her first novel. Her Ramadan memory is set in New York's garment district, in a furniture store owned by her father. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=663159#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/03/20090902_ramadan_fp_bandukda_128.mp3 Thu, 3 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Nadia Sheikh Bandukda, Mitch Hanley, American Public Media Nadia Sheikh Bandukda shares a Ramadan memory set in her father's furniture store in New York's garment district. Our 13th voice is Nadia Sheikh Bandukda. She is a self-described "by-choice conservative Muslim female born in America, who studied in Saudi Arabia and Teaneck, New Jersey." She recently graduated from college with a degree in political science and now works at a non-profit focused on immigration issues, and is at work on her first novel. Her Ramadan memory is set in New York's garment district, in a furniture store owned by her father. 2:31 ramadan, human rights, iftar, fasting, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our twelfth voice in this series is Sabiha Shariff, an Indian woman who grew up in Mumbai and has lived and worked in New Jersey for nearly 25 years. Now retired and living in Dallas, she is active in her Muslim community on issues of homelessness and domestic violence. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=650633#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/02/20090901_ramadan_fp_shariff_128.mp3 Wed, 2 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Sabiha Shariff, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Sabiha Shariff talks about the local mosques coming together to give for causes of homelessness and domestic violence. Our twelfth voice in this series is Sabiha Shariff, an Indian woman who grew up in Mumbai and has lived and worked in New Jersey for nearly 25 years. Now retired and living in Dallas, she is active in her Muslim community on issues of homelessness and domestic violence. 2:30 ramadan, abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, charity, zakkat, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr On this eleventh day of Ramadan, Nicole Queen, a native-born Texan who was raised Southern Baptist, speaks about the initial isolation of being a convert to Islam. While learning about the tradition, she found strength in the ideas and teachings of Yusuf Estes, a fellow Texan convert. Now in her late 20s, she is a practicing Muslim, active in her community in Dallas. She continues to photograph and blog about Islamic subjects. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=665539#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/09/01/20090831_ramadan_fp_queen_128.mp3 Tue, 1 Sep 2009 15:00:00 CST Nicole Queen, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Nicole Queen on isolation and fasting during Ramadan as a way of belonging. On this eleventh day of Ramadan, Nicole Queen, a native-born Texan who was raised Southern Baptist, speaks about the initial isolation of being a convert to Islam. While learning about the tradition, she found strength in the ideas and teachings of Yusuf Estes, a fellow Texan convert. Now in her late 20s, she is a practicing Muslim, active in her community in Dallas. She continues to photograph and blog about Islamic subjects. 3:13 ramadan, fasting, conversion, family, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr On this tenth day of Ramadan, we speak with a Tayyaba Syed. She's a Pakistani-American living in suburban Chicago. "In my faith," she wrote to us, "parents are highly regarded; we have to honor and respect them unreservedly and treat them with utter kindness." Her Ramadan story revolves around her father. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=647805#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/31/20090830_ramadan_fp_syed_128.mp3 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:00:00 CST Tayyaba Syed, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Tayyaba Syed remembers first wanting to fast as a young girl. On this tenth day of Ramadan, we speak with a Tayyaba Syed. She's a Pakistani-American living in suburban Chicago. "In my faith," she wrote to us, "parents are highly regarded; we have to honor and respect them unreservedly and treat them with utter kindness." Her Ramadan story revolves around her father. 2:43 ramadan, fasting, family, elderly, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Feruze Faison, our ninth voice in this series, grew up in Istanbul and now lives and teaches elementary school in New York. After an early marriage in the U.S., she met her current partner, a woman with whom she's raising three children. Her relationship is a source of estrangement between her and other family members. The Sufism of her native Turkey influences her personal faith and her memories of Ramadan. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=648614#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/28/20090829_ramadan_fp_faison_128.mp3 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:00:00 CST Feruze Faison, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Feruze Faison poetically draws on Sufism as she describes fasting during Ramadan. Feruze Faison, our ninth voice in this series, grew up in Istanbul and now lives and teaches elementary school in New York. After an early marriage in the U.S., she met her current partner, a woman with whom she's raising three children. Her relationship is a source of estrangement between her and other family members. The Sufism of her native Turkey influences her personal faith and her memories of Ramadan. 3:24 ramadan, fasting, poetry, rumi turkey, sufism, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Our eighth voice in this series is a young woman from Florida who comes from a Bengali family. Sahar Ullah recently completed graduate work in Middle Eastern studies, and, here, shares a childhood memory about fasting during a field trip to a fast-food restaurant. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=662693#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/28/20090828_ramadan_fp_ullah_128.mp3 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:00:00 CST Sahar Ullah, Mitch Hanley, American Public Media Sahar Ullah recalls a field trip to McDonald's on the first day of Ramadan. Our eighth voice in this series is a young woman from Florida who comes from a Bengali family. Sahar Ullah recently completed graduate work in Middle Eastern studies, and, here, shares a childhood memory about fasting during a field trip to a fast-food restaurant. 3:28 ramadan, fasting, mcdonald's, temptation, bengali, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Today's story comes from Adnan Onart, a Turkish Muslim living in Boston, Massachusetts. He and his wife are active members of a Unitarian-Universalist congregation where, he says, they can best live out their Muslim faith. He recites his poem, "Ramadan in Dunkin Donuts," on this seventh day of Ramadan. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=650653#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/28/20090827_ramadan_fp_onart_128.mp3 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:00:00 CST Adnan Onart, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Adnan Onart recites a poem recalling an encounter during Ramadan after 9/11. Today's story comes from Adnan Onart, a Turkish Muslim living in Boston, Massachusetts. He and his wife are active members of a Unitarian-Universalist congregation where, he says, they can best live out their Muslim faith. He recites his poem, "Ramadan in Dunkin Donuts," on this seventh day of Ramadan. 2:46 ramadan, turkey, poetry, 9/11, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr On this sixth day of Ramadan, we hear from Maria Romero, a Mexican-American lawyer living with her daughter in Seattle. She grew up Roman Catholic and married an Arab Muslim man. Only after their divorce did she convert to Islam. The Ramadan story she tells is one of pain and fortitude, one of isolation and new community. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=663206#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/26/20090825_ramadan_fp_romero_128.mp3 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:10:00 CST Maria Romero, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Maria Romero talks about an encounter with her mother during conversion. On this sixth day of Ramadan, we hear from Maria Romero, a Mexican-American lawyer living with her daughter in Seattle. She grew up Roman Catholic and married an Arab Muslim man. Only after their divorce did she convert to Islam. The Ramadan story she tells is one of pain and fortitude, one of isolation and new community. 3:06 ramadan, latina, mexican american, seattle, islam, muslim, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Wajahat Ali, the fifth voice in this series, is a playwright who first trained as an attorney. He's a first-generation Pakistani-American who grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. Unlike our first Ramadan story, one of his fondest memories takes place outside the United States, in Mecca, with hundreds of simple gestures of kindness and beauty. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=662567#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/26/20090825_ramadan_fp_ali_128.mp3 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:10:00 CST Wajahat Ali, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Wajahat Ali recalls moments of kindness and beauty during his umra in Mecca. Wajahat Ali, the fifth voice in this series, is a playwright who first trained as an attorney. He's a first-generation Pakistani-American who grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. Unlike our first Ramadan story, one of his fondest memories takes place outside the United States, in Mecca, with hundreds of simple gestures of kindness and beauty. 5:39 ramadan, ramadan, mecca, islam, muslim, drama, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Allee Ramadhan was born a Muslim in the U.S. 65 years ago. Growing up bloack and Muslim meant, as he puts it, having three strikes against him before he got to bat. The father of 11 children, he recently retired as a federal prosecutor and lives in New York. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=658568#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/25/20090824_ramadan_fp_ramadhan_128.mp3 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:10:00 CST Allee Ramadhan, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Allee Ramadhan compensates for his diabetes by celebrating Ramadan in other ways. Allee Ramadhan was born a Muslim in the U.S. 65 years ago. Growing up bloack and Muslim meant, as he puts it, having three strikes against him before he got to bat. The father of 11 children, he recently retired as a federal prosecutor and lives in New York. 2:56 ramadan, diabetes, islam, muslim, african american, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Yanina Vashchenko, our voice for this third day of Ramadan, is a recent convert to Islam. She's 25 and emigrated from Russia to Dallas, Texas when she was eight years old. She grew up in the Russian Orthodox Church and spent several years as a non-denominational Christian. Here she shares several memories, including how the act of fasting and praying during Ramadan led her to declare herself officially Muslim. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=665414#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/24/20090823_ramadan_fp_vashchenko_128.mp3 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:40:00 CST Yanina Vashchenko, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Yanina Vashchenko shares several memories about Ramadan, including how the act of fasting and praying during Ramadan led her to declare herself officially Muslim. Yanina Vashchenko, our voice for this third day of Ramadan, is a recent convert to Islam. She's 25 and emigrated from Russia to Dallas, Texas when she was eight years old. She grew up in the Russian Orthodox Church and spent several years as a non-denominational Christian. Here she shares several memories, including how the act of fasting and praying during Ramadan led her to declare herself officially Muslim. 5:45 ramadan, fasting, islam, muslim, conversion, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Ibrahim Al-Marashi, our second voice in this series, is a scholar of modern history with a focus on the Middle East and political communications. His profile was heightened when an article he wrote in 2002 was plagiarized by the British and American governments to justify the invasion of Iraq. An Iraqi-American, he grew up and studied in California and has taught in the U.S., Turkey, and currently in Spain. The curiosity that took him to Madrid flows into the Ramadan story he likes to tell. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=660857#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/21/20090822_ramadan_fp_almarashi_128.mp3 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:40:00 CST Ibrahim Al-Marashi, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Ibrahim Al-Marashi grew up and studied in California and has taught in the U.S., Turkey, and currently in Spain. The curiosity that took him to Madrid flows into the Ramadan story he likes to tell. Ibrahim Al-Marashi, our second voice in this series, is a scholar of modern history with a focus on the Middle East and political communications. His profile was heightened when an article he wrote in 2002 was plagiarized by the British and American governments to justify the invasion of Iraq. An Iraqi-American, he grew up and studied in California and has taught in the U.S., Turkey, and currently in Spain. The curiosity that took him to Madrid flows into the Ramadan story he likes to tell. 2:57 ramadan, fasting, islam, muslim, spain, iraq, interfaith, first person, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr Samar Jarrah, a Kuwait-born Palestinian-American, says there is no better place to celebrate Ramadan than in her adopted country. Public Radio http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/applications/formbuilder/projects/your_story/story.php?name=ramadan&response=635457#story http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/first_person/2009/08/21/20090821_ramadan_fp_jarrah_128.mp3 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:40:00 CST Samar Jarrah, Trent Gilliss, American Public Media Samar Jarrah, a Kuwait-born Palestinian-American, says there is no better place to celebrate Ramadan than in her adopted country. Samar Jarrah, a Kuwait-born Palestinian-American, says there is no better place to celebrate Ramadan than in her adopted country. 4:28 ramadan, fasting islam, muslim, first person, quran, koran, speaking of faith, krista tippett, public radio, npr