Our Stories

Personal stories can be a powerful catalyst for change – challenging stereotypes, building bridges, and inspiring action. In a country as diverse and complex as the United States, the identities of Muslim Americans remain layered and contested. We all have stories to tell: stories that deserve to be collected, conserved, and celebrated.

“Muslim American Journeys” is a MALA program produced in partnership with NPR’s StoryCorps and the Library of Congress, providing a platform for Americans of Muslim heritage to share their individual stories. By sharing a diverse range of narratives and experiences, “Journeys” aims to document oral history, inspire pride, and celebrate individuality. Every story recorded is officially archived in the Library of Congress, and outstanding stories are featured on National Public Radio.

Browse the collection of individuals’ stories below. If you would like to participate in “Muslim American Journeys,” here is information on how to submit your story and apply to participate in a recording session.

Ala Salameh: Identity Through Solidarity

Is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program.  In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here.  Last Spring, Loyola University Chicago’s School of Law was a microcosm of our broader society, for […]

Farishta Abdul Latif: The Perfect Curse of the Prayer Answered

Farishta is one of the recipients of the Fawaz Kannout Memorial Scholarship Fund. Awarded in conjunction with the MALA Scholarship Program this scholarship recognizes compassionate and ambitious individuals who are committed to strengthening and serving their communities through cultural engagement, inclusive discourse, and progressive thought. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here. How […]

Katarzyna Clarke: Human

Katarzyna is a recipient of the Fawaz Kannout Memorial Scholarship. Awarded in conjunction with the MALA Scholarship Program, this scholarship recognizes compassionate and ambitious individuals who are committed to strengthening and serving their communities through cultural engagement, inclusive discourse, and progressive thought. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here. The resident physician’s ponytail […]

Zoha Raza: Collateral Damage

Zoha is a recipent of the Fawaz Kannout Memorial Scholarship Fund. Awarded in conjunction with the MALA Scholarship Program, this Scholarship recognizes compassionate and ambitious individuals who are committed to strengthening and serving their communities through cultural engagement, inclusive discourse, and progressive thought.To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here. As I walked down […]

Sarah Al Shahad: The War

Sarah is a recipient of the Fawaz Kannout Memorial Scholarship Fund. Given in conjunction with the MALA Scholarship Program, this scholarship recognizes compassionate and ambitious individuals who are committed to strengthening and serving their communities through cultural engagement, inclusive discourse, and progressive thought. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here. Being in a […]

Semira Ahemed: Triple Identity

Semira is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program.  In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship opportunities, click here.  My parents wanted a son as their first child and fortunately for one week, their […]

Samira Sadeque: To See In Infinites — How I Use Storytelling to Unlearn the World

Samira Sadeque is a New York-based Bangladeshi journalist and poet focusing on migration, the refugee community, gender, and mental health. She completed her M.S. in Journalism from Columbia Journalism School in 2017. Her work appears in Reuters, NPR, Al Jazeera, Quartz, The Lily, Scroll.in, and the Dhaka Tribune among other publications. Her poetry has been […]

Muzhdah Karimi: Education, Diplomacy, and Identity

Muzhdah grew up in Afghanistan under Taliban rule before immigrating to the United States. In her story, she discusses the importance of education, her passion for diplomacy, and her own journey to self-discovery. I am a college student, a research assistant for my professor, an intern at the U.S. Department of State, and mother of […]

Rozan Abdulrahman: Adjusting to a Fluid Identity

Rozan comes from a Kurdish family who received asylum in the U.S. after they fled civil conflict in Iraq. Here, she describes some of the obstacles she faced adjusting to life in the U.S., her career in healthcare, and the fluidity of identity.

Nooria Nodrat: Chasing Milesones, Pushing Forward

Nooria Nadrat discusses her journey as an activist in the blind community and shares words of empowerment.