Alchemy of Truth: chilling with Mission of Hope's Maha Najjarine

Mission of Hope is one of those Organizations that remind me of the word Da'uub دؤوب, which roughly translates the state of working hard and persevering through the hurdles. Throughout the controversies, the riots and the debates on rights and responsibilities, those guys kept their heads down and the worked to develop the Muslim community, their initiatives and projects aim to strike the heart of the problems and the issues facing the Muslim community. I ask Allah swt to reward them for their work and their intentions.

Maha Najjarine is of those tireless individuals whose list of volunteering roles and achievements is longer than my arm. She joins us to discuss the follow up the Villawood detention center's Ramadan Iftar program.

She also tells of the 2012 AMAA (Australia Muslim Achievement Awards) and the nominations closing on the 15th of October.

This show was broadcast live from Mado's restaurant in Auburn. The whole show was fun and massively chaotic, but alhumdulillah we managed a podcast out of it.




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  As always, we live for your feedback, good or bad, we welcome it.

Alchemy of Truth: Covering the Anti-Islam Film + Sydney Protests

The last two weeks have witnessed a lot of anger, some violence, and the same calls for civility and citizenship requirements for Australian Muslims. Articles were written, placards with offensive messages brandished, people arrested, commentators commentated, and muslim leaders made controversial decisions.

In a few months when all this dies down, we may be able to look at this episode in Australia's political religious cultural dynamic. But for now. We presented a show grasping the moment of today.

Our guest was Uthman Badar, spokesman for Hizbu Tahrir.


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Alchemy Of Truth: Cognitive Dissonance With Aftab Malik

Our interview with Aftab Malik  took place in Bankstown this time. This was carried out before Ramadan but we didn't have time to post it until today.

Aftab A. Malik has been called a "first rate scholar" by John L., Esposito, "a rising intellectual star" by The Muslim World Book Review and desribed as someone "at the cutting edge of research on Islam and at the heart of a group of young, emerging Muslim scholars, as well as established Muslim scholars," by Professor Philip Lewis at the department of Peace Studies (University of Bradford). 

Interviewing brother Aftab was a pleasure for the Alchemy team, for a man of his knowledge and his tool belt of skill and works, he was a friendly, down to earth man who loved to joke around while discussing amazing ideas with us.


Or you can download the podcast here 

The Muslim Condition: With Yassir Mursi

After a brief pause during the Ramadan period. We are back alhumdulillah for another season. 

Last time I visited Melbourne, I had the pleasure of a romantic evening with a number of very insightful, intelligent and educated brothers and sisters. Speaking to them caused me to shift my thinking about a number of issues. And I realizes the conundrums the Muslim community sometimes feels when cornered by questions of culture or alliance.

Yassir Mursi is part of this group of people, and it was my pleasure to host him at the Alchemy of Truth last Friday the 31st of August. I did not want a structured format to the show like I usually do, but to open it up and let the discussion flow organically, and alhumdulillah it was a great experience, and I feel we learned a lot from Yassir.



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Alchemy of Truth: Amal Awad: Courting Samiah

Amal Awad is a Palestinian-Australian Muslim, a child of the 80s, and an eternal advocate of good grammar. She graduated university with an arts/law degree, practised very briefly as a lawyer and now works as a journalist. Courting Samira is her first novel.

It may be the 21st century, but who says courtship is obsolete? This story is a light-hearted but honest peek into the life of a young, single Muslim woman living in Sydney – the joys of a blossoming romance (all very proper), the courtship rituals (so Jane Austen), the struggle with career and, of course, Arab Guilt. 

Visit her website to find out where to buy the book

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Alchemy of Truth: Contexualising Australian Muslims Summit 2012

The Contextualizing Australian Muslims Summit 2012 will provide the platform for discussions to occur about issues that affect the Australian Muslim community and begin conversations about viable and realistic solutions to these concerns. We speak to Sabrine Khodre, one of the organizers, about this great initiative and what it means for the future of Australian Muslims.

 Listen to the whole show here


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And for those wanting an iTunes m4a podcast, here is the link 

As always, feedback is always welcome.

Alchemy of Truth: The Art of Story Telling with Sean Mcnulty

Our Guest Sean McNulty tells us about the Ancient art of story telling and his child project "Stories in the Park".

We also try our hand at a live comedy radio script.

As always, feedback is intensely welcome.





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Alchemy of Truth: Muslim Fashion and the Powerhouse Museum Exhibition.

Faith, fashion, fusion: Muslim women’s style in Australia
Opens 5 May 2012

From street-style to red carpet dresses, this exhibition explores the emerging modest fashion market and the work of a new generation of Australian clothing brands offering stylish clothing for Muslim and non-Muslim women.

“Faith, Fashion, Fusion: An Insiders Perspective” – Friday May 4th Interviewing: Assistant Curator Melanie Pitkins and models Asma Fahmi and Sarah Chaabo. Showing at the powerhouse Museum from 5th May.



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Alchemy of Truth: Exploring why (and IF) They (Arab men) Hate Us (Arab Women)

A little less than two weeks ago, writer, journalist and commentator Mona Altahhawi wrote an article in Foreign Policy titled "Why Do they Hate Us". In it she argues the need for Arab women to fight the systematic social, political and religoius misogyny they are living with in the Middle East. Understandabley there was an explosion all over the internet, blogs commended and condemned her, tweets retweeted and facebookers liked and shared love and hate sentiments about her. Is her version of the status and plight of women in the Middle East accurate ? This is what we discuss in this show. 

Our guests were; world renowned journalist and commentator Dima Khatib (we called her in Caracas Vanezuela, she was asleep !) and from Sydney University, Lecturer in Islamic and Arabic Studies  Lucia Sorbrera. 

We should note that Dima also wrote an excellent article in reply to Mona's article. You can find it here 

This is the official start of our new host Annarose Zayied (of the Casula Zayeds).

Please note: we are always looking to improve the show and present a properly researched well balanced argument. We always appreciate your feedback. Comment and let us know your thoughts.

This is the podcast in streaming form.



or you can download the podcast here

The Alchemy of Truth, Episode 3: Islamophobia

Friday 13th April 2012.

We explore the history and nature of Islamophobia in the west and specifically in Australia. We have as our guest today sister Rebecca K and sister Mariam Veiszadeh contributing their thoughts and insights with us.

We mentioned the JAAN initiative by Mission of Hope in Sydney, as well the US based website Loon Watch, one of the most beneficial useful tools of the fight against Islamophobia in the west. I strongly recommend reading and following them.






You can download the podcast here.


Please share your thoughts and feedback with us.

The Alchemy of Truth, Episode 1: Feminism again !

The second episode exploring the issues of Feminism and Islam. Is there a compatibity between them ? or do their philosophical basis make them pivotally incompatible ? Our guests this episode are Jamilah Hussien from UTS (Sydney) and Mohammad Tabbaa from Melbourne University.

A massive thanks to all the brothers and the sisters who contributed, commented, followed up and trolled us on the show.

Or you can download the podcast here

We are always seeking to be better in what we offer and how we offer it, we welcome all feedback, its sweet and sour, so please don't be shy to let us know your thoughts or suggestions.

The Alchemy of Truth, Episode 1: Feminism

As you know (If you've been following my blog) that I stopped my wildly successful Friday Night Live to prepare for my next even more global radio phenomenon The Alchemy of Truth.

Alhumdulillah the first show started on Friday the 23rd of March 2012. The topic of the show was a topic I had been interested in for a while now: Feminism. I wanted to explore whether Islam and Feminism were compatible. There were strong arguments on both sides, and so I thought to bring the proponents of both ideas to discuss them in a public space to benefit others.

I call the show the alchemy of truth because I think that in many cases we may discuss certain issues to death, but that doesn't mean that anyone of us should be more right than the other. Exploring the ideas was more interesting than reaching a conclusion.



Or you can download the podcast here 

For making this show possible I would like to thank my two awesome co hosts Sarwa Abdelraheem and Amir (last name withheld). And our esteemed guests Mehal Krayem, Miriam Ahmed, and Hajar Rafiq.

And all the brothers and sisters who were kind enough to follow and contribute on the show.

Tune in next week when we further discuss the ideas of Feminism and Islam with celebrated UTS lecturer Jameela Hussien.