A Way Beyond the Rainbow – Details, episodes & analysis

In the podcast finale, we take a look at the entire journey across all five seasons and reflect on key take-home messages and memorable words from my guests and co-hosts. We wrap up with acknowledgments, a dedication, and final words and prayers.

Link to A Way Beyond the Rainbow book

Background music used in the episode:

(0:39-4:14) Now We Are Free (theme from Gladiator), 2CELLOS
(4:14-7:39) River Flows in You, Yiruma
(7:39-13:51) Adagio in G Minor (Albinoni), HAUSER with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra
(13:51-17:21) The Lonely Shepherd (Georghe Zamfir and James Last), HAUSER with the London Symphony Orchestra
(17:22-23:04) My Heart Will Go On (theme from Titanic by James Horner), 2CELLOS
(23:05-31:00) A Way of Life (theme from The Last Samurai), Hans Zimmer
(31:01-33:53) Once Upon a Time in the West (Ennio Morricone), HAUSER
(33:54-37:31) Tennessee (theme from Pearl Harbor), Hans Zimmer
(37:32-39:28) La Valse d'Amélie (Version orchestre), Yann Tiersen
(39:28-44:26) Never Too Late, Yanni
(44:27-48:56) Playing by Heart, Yanni
(48:57-51:45) House of Cards, Audiomachine
(51:54-57:45) Guardians at the Gate, Audiomachine (extended)
(57:46-1:01:12) Song of the Caged Bird, Lindsey Stirling
(1:01:13-1:07:29) Farewell - In His Purest Form, Yanni
(1:07:30-1:10:23) Breath and Life, Audiomachine (extended)
(1:10:24-1:13:07) Above and Beyond, Audiomachine
(1:13:08-1:17:07) In the Mirror, Yanni
(1:17:08-1:20:04) Almost a Whisper (Seléna's Theme), Yanni
(1:20:45-1:25:20) Chopin's Nocturne in C Sharp Minor (Frédéric Chopin), HAUSER with the London Symphony Orchestra
(1:25:25-1:28:41) Mia and Sebastian's Theme (theme from La La Land by Justin Hurwitz), HAUSER with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra
(1:28:43-1:31:31) Valerie (theme from V for Vendetta), Dario Marianelli

Send us a text

A blooper reel featuring many of the out-takes with my co-hosts, Amina and Aadam, that didn't make it to the final cut.

Send us a text

This is part I of a 4-episode series dedicated to parents and family members of individuals experiencing gender nonconformity, same-sex attractions (SSA) and/or gender dysphoria (GD).

In this episode, Aadam and I read out survey responses sent by members of the online Straight Struggle community addressing parents and siblings, and we cover pertinent themes related to personal healing for parents and family members. What do men and women experiencing SSA or GD hope to get from their parents and family members? How can I, as a parent, sibling or family member of an individual with SSA or GD, navigate the "shock factor"? How can I step into their world and see things from their eyes? What does "unconditional love" mean, and can I still love them unconditionally while disagreeing with their behaviors and lifestyle choices? Why is doing my own work necessary before I help my child, sibling or family member who experiences SSA or GD? These and other relevant questions are explored in this episode.

References used in this episode:
- Gay Children, Straight Parents: A Plan for Family Healing by Richard Cohen
- A Parent's Guide To Preventing Homosexuality by Joseph Nicolosi and Linda Ames Nicolosi

International support systems for parents and family members:
- Straight Struggle support group (online, Muslim-based, international)
- Strong Support's "Parent's Support Circle" (Muslim-based, UK and international)
- Positive Approaches To Healthy Sexuality (PATHS)
- Brothers Road (US and international)
- North Star Alliance (Mormon-based, international), including Voices of Hope and Journeys of Faith
- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX)
- Focus on the Family, Jeff Johnston (Christian-based)
- Courage International (Christian-based)

Healing seminars and family healing sessions:
- Positive Approaches To Healthy Sexuality (PATHS)
- Mankind Project (MKP)
- Adventure into Manhood (AIM)
- Brothers Road (US and international)
- Woman Within
- COR Experience: Noble Man and Women's Immersion Weekend
- Celebration of Being - for men and for women

Send us a text

This is part II of a 2-episode series with Sh. Mustafa Umar addressing Shar'i perspectives related to gender nonconformity, gender dysphoria and transgenderism.

Is gender transitioning unconditionally prohibited in Islam or are there particular exceptions?  How do we, as families and communities, deal with individuals undergoing gender transitioning? How do we deal with individuals who identify as gender non-binary or gender-fluid, particularly if they are Muslim? How do we deal with situations where we have to "declare our preferred pronouns"? These and other relevant questions are explored in this episode.

Send us a text

This is part I of a 2-episode series with Sh. Mustafa Umar addressing Shar'i perspectives related to gender nonconformity, gender dysphoria and transgenderism.

Are the gender roles defined by Islam rigid or flexible compared to modern Western notions of gender roles? If gender roles are, to a degree, socially determined, what are the permissible limits of not conforming to such gender roles? Where do individuals who identify as gender-fluid or gender non-binary fit in the Islamic paradigm? For individuals who imitate the opposite gender, what does imitation involve and what would be considered blameworthy? These and other relevant questions are explored in this episode.

Send us a text

In this episode, Br. Mobeen Vaid and I discuss the Islamic perspectives on gender-reassignment surgeries as well as the ripple effects of the modern day transgender movement.

What are the major Islamic fatawa regarding sex-reassignment surgeries within Sunni and Shi'a Islam? On what grounds were such fatwas issued to begin with? Do communities like the Hijras in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as the Warias in Indonesia represent legitimate "third gender" communities? What are the ripple effects of the modern trans movement on family units, schools and academia, Muslim scholarship, as well as our mosques and  places of worship? These and other questions are explored in this episode.

References used and resources mentioned in this episode:
- “And the Male Is Not like the Female”: Sunni Islam and Gender Nonconformity (Part 2) by Mobeen Vaid and Waheed Jensen
- When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment by Ryan Anderson
- Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier
- The Man Who Would Be Queen: The Science of Gender-Bending and Transsexualism by Michael Bailey
- 4thWaveNow website

Send us a text

In this episode, we dive deep into the topics of gender dysphoria and transgenderism from scientific and medical perspectives, by exploring the most recent research and developments on the topic.

Are there biological factors that contribute to transgenderism? Is gender dysphoria one entity or are there different kinds of it? What is the genesis of gender dysphoria and how is it treated nowadays? Is the “affirmative model” healthy and appropriate for individuals struggling with gender dysphoria? These and other questions are explored in this episode.

References used in this episode:
- “And the Male Is Not like the Female”: Sunni Islam and Gender Nonconformity (Part 2) by Mobeen Vaid and Waheed Jensen (references for medical articles included therein)
- Time to Hit Pause on 'Pausing' Puberty in Gender-Dysphoric Youth
- Transgender Docs Warn About Gender-Affirmative Care for Youth
- Sex Change Regret

Support groups and relevant resources:
- International: Genspect, Partners for Ethical Care, Parents of ROGD Kids, Our Duty,  Gender Identity Challenge Scandinavia (GENID)
- USA: 4thWaveNow, Child and Parental Rights Campaign
- UK: Bayswater Support Group, Transgender Trend,  Safe School Alliance UK, Fair Play for Women
- Canada: Canadian Gender Report, Detrans Canada

Detrans support groups: Reddit detrans server, Post Trans, Detrans Voices, Lost in Transition,  Pique Resilience Project

Send us a text

In this episode, we continue our discussion of gender nonconformity with Br. Mobeen Vaid, and we discuss the notions of gender atypical individuals from an Islamic perspective, as well as the concepts of intersex/disorders of sexual development from a medical perspective.

What are the differences between al-khunthā al-mushkil (ambiguous khunthā), al-mukhannath al-khilqī (congenital mukhannath) and al-mukhannath ghayr al-khilqī (affected or non-congenital mukhannath)? Does khunthā represent a third gender? To what extent does Islam accommodate gender atypical individuals and guarantee their legal rights under Shari'a? Who is the verse in the Qur'an about "men who possess no sexual desire for women" referring to exactly? Biologically and medically speaking, how do intersex syndromes arise and how can they be treated? These and other questions are explored in this episode.

References used in this episode:
- “And the Male Is Not like the Female”: Sunni Islam and Gender Nonconformity (Part 1) by Mobeen Vaid
- “And the Male Is Not like the Female”: Sunni Islam and Gender Nonconformity (Part 2) by Mobeen Vaid and Waheed Jensen

Extra resources:
- Intersex Society of North America - official website
- Support and advocacy groups for intersex individuals - here and here

Send us a text

With this episode, we begin a series of episodes addressing the topics of gender, gender nonconformity, gender dysphoria and transgenderism.

In this episode, Br. Mobeen Vaid joins me in a discussion on gender and gender nonconformity in the modern world and from an Islamic legal perspective. Why are we witnessing an explosion of gender and sexual identities nowadays, and where is this expansion heading? Does Islam have a constructionist or essentialist view when it comes to one's gender? Does Islamic Shari'a allow flexibility in terms of our gender expression, or are we limited to strict and predefined “gender roles”? Does Islam allow for leeway in non-typical interests and pursuits for men and women? These and other questions are explored in this episode.

References mentioned in the episode:
- “And the Male Is Not like the Female”: Sunni Islam and Gender Nonconformity (Part 2)

Relevant writings by Br. Mobeen:
- On Openness
- Men, Women, and the Perils of Constructionism
- On Gender Wars, #Metoo, and Building a Program of Virtue and Dignity
- Appraising Motherhood
- On Muslim Masculinity
- Why Marriage Requires Meaning

Send us a text

This is part II of a 2-episode series with Sh. Mustafa Umar addressing contemporary issues and Shar'i perspectives related to same-sex attractions and gender identity issues.

Is Islam a "homophobic" or "transphobic" religion? Where do we, as Muslim communities, stand on "LGBT rights" and same-sex marriage? Is it permissible for me to attend a same-sex marriage? How do we deal with "progressive" or "reformist" Muslims pushing pro-LGBT agendas on our communities? How do we deal with Muslim reverts who identify as part of the LGBT community? How do we deal with particular workplace rules and regulations that are pro-LGBT and may be in direct contradiction with our Islamic values? These and other relevant questions are explored in this episode.

Send us a text