My Muslim Family Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Islamic education has historically been dry, unexciting and a means to an end to get our children knowledgeable and informed on our deen.

But what can we learn from recent innovators, media and Western programmes for children that utilise more interactive and engagement approaches to teaching and learning? And how can we incorporate these into our materials for better effects?

In this episode, host Zainab speak to Lamise, founder of Messenger Magazine about this topic, her inspiring journey and commitment to children's educations and her tips on getting better results and less push back from children as they learn and even get excited about learning.

Young people have always been at the forefront of social movements, demanding change and making noise to achieve a better, more just and sustainable world for us all. Their conviction, passion and risk taking can inspire and worry us at the same time! But how do we support this beautiful phase as parents so we can guide our teens with wisdom without quashing their fierceness and drive?

In this episode, host Zainab speaks to Shaheen Merali, author, certified parenting instructor and mother of teens for her thoughts and tips on this very topic. A truly unmissable conversation.

Our mother tongue is about more than language. It’s a treasure trove of identity, humour and countless opportunities.

In this episode Zainab speaks to Ibtihal Al-Asadi and Yaser Shakib, the founders of Shakoo Maku, a unique children's edutainment platform that was launched in 2019. Shakoo Maku teaches Arabic to children in a fun and engaging way and we discuss how this idea came about, the journey so far and what they have learned along the way.

We explore the value of our mother tongue, the gifts it affords us and our children and how we can work to harness the beauties of this gift.

Raising children brings many challenges and we needn’t do it alone.

In this episode Zainab speaks to mentor, speaker and life coach Isra Altayar in part 2 about how we can tap into the support of wider family and the community while also elevating each other in the process. Our children can be enriched and learn through the collective contribution, skills and experience around them. We explore how we can become part of the solution and harness our own skills to benefit others thereby attaining growth and contentment.

Our children, regardless of their age, face a variety of challenges and decisions every day, whether at school, with friends or in wider society. So how can we help them decide and choose with confidence and guided by their Islamic values and God-given Fitrah?

In this episode, Zainab speaks with life coach, mother of 4, mentor and speaker Isra Altayar about instilling this very confidence to arm our children with the tools to navigate everyday scenarios without giving in to peer pressure in an effort to belong.

We talk about what confidence is, how it develops as well as the role of parents to build this crucial skill. An unmissable and uplifting conversation packed with practical tips!

In this episode of the My Muslim Family Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Sister Latifa Barnett.

As Muslim parents, we are all doing our best to ensure God is the foundation of the family and that we raise children who have taqwa and a high standard of morals. But many of us are struggling to impart these teachings and to even practise them ourselves.

Zainab speaks to Latifa Barnett, a parenting coach who is passionate about educating and empowering parents and families to live their best life, aligned with Islamic values and putting God right at the centre every day and with every decision.

Latifa's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/latifabarnettcoaching/

There are many developmental milestones we watch out for as our children grow. Some they hit on time and as expected and some less so which can render parents worried. In this episode of the podcast Zainab speaks to Sr. Azra Hassanali who is a mother to 2 girls and a Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist with 20 years of experience working for both the NHS and independently. 

Azra works with families, education staff and health professionals in a variety of settings including nurseries, schools, children's centres and community clinics. Sr. Azra works with children that have a wide range of additional needs including Autism, hearing impairment, speech sound difficulties, language disorder, and stammering to name a few. Azra is also a passionate advocate campaigning for the acceptance and inclusivity of people with disabilities in the Muslim community and has run an annual disability awareness day for students and teachers at Madressa for the last 10 years.

Azra is also the voice and mastermind behind an album of rhymes called ‘A Day with Aunty Zahra’ which quickly became a staple in homes across the globe as it promotes the love of Allah and The Ahlulbayt.

We talk about behaviour being communication, about speech and language delays as well as about making our communities and centres more inclusive, welcoming and nurturing for all irrespective of physical and mental abilities just as our beautiful faith teaches us.

Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 starts on 6th February and to mark that we have this special episode discussing how you can be more aware of your child’s struggles and how you can help them. Zainab discusses these themes and more with Dr. Kiran Nijabat, a renowned consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founder and director of the Family Wellness Practice. Dr. Kiran talks about her unique experience with children and families from ethnic backgrounds, the stigma associated with mental health labels and the barriers to seeking help. 

We hope you find this an insightful episode that brings more light and awareness to the vital support our children need from us when they are struggling as well as the importance of early intervention.

We often reflect on our lives and our relationships with every new year. What is going right and what is going wrong and what we need to change. Our marital relationship can seem such hard work and yet so unfulfilling at the same time. We can easily disconnect with our life  partners leaving us feeling lonely, frustrated and resentful. We can lead parallel lives with only the kids in common.

But what if small tweaks to our habits and to our attitude can change this trajectory to a more connected and fulfilling marital relationship where we are on the same team and really feel that. Join Zainab as she discusses this very topic with guest Dr. Kawther Abbas.

Dr. Kawther Abbas is a wife and mum of three, oldest being 15. She is a General Practitioner with special interests in mental health and women's health as well as Co founder of Muslim Families Initiative which has been running family focused events for 10 years and recently started monthly clubs for teens and preteens.

Kawther is a part time Islamic studies student at Al Mahdi Institute and has a background in teaching Tajweed/Quran and giving Islamic talks and organising women's gatherings to better understand the religion of Islam.

Join Mohamed Jawad and Imranali Khaki: for Part 2, where they explore a variety of methods and tips for how to introduce the Qur'an to your children, how to maintain their connection with the Qur'an in a fun and exciting way. This podcast will cover tips for both younger children, and teenagers.