Main Bhi Muslim

In this episode, Main Bhi Muslim’s producer and host, Mariyam Haider , spoke to Nazni Rizvi , Senior Reporter at Khabar Lahariya , India’s only, all-women, feminist, hyper-local, video first news channel, reporting from within the country’s hinterland. In this conversation, Nazni shares her story of belonging to the Muslim community in rural India where she fought social and religious prescription...

In this episode, MBM’s producer & host - Mariyam Haider speaks to Dr Aqsa Shaikh , Associate Professor of Community Medicine at the Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, and the first trans woman to head a COVID-19 vaccine centre in India.  Their conversation sheds light on Dr Aqsa’s journey of being an Indian Muslim woman, a trans person, a community builder, an activist along with be...

In this episode, Sabika and Mariyam share their journeys as 30 year-old, Indian Muslim women. They discuss the challenges that most Indian women face in their 20s - incuding the pressures to get married, having a ‘settled life’, choosing family over career, finding a good ‘Muslim’ guy, and living in fears of being unmarried at 30. How far did these fear lead them to make life decisions? How did th...

In this episode, Mariyam and Sabika virtually sit down with Indian author, columnist and film-maker, Natasha Badhwar to discuss one’s capacity to love amid times of polarisation and hate in a society. Natasha shares her personal learnings from growing up in different parts of India, marrying a Muslim, using social media as a tool for communicating love, and working with Karwan e Mohabbat - a peopl...

In this episode, Sabika and Mariyam, meditate over the meaning of ‘republic’ as Indian citizens. They share their experiences of re-looking at the Constitution and what it means to them in light of national civil movements such as the Shaheen Bagh and Farmers Protests. Allow this episode to bring to you a deep sense of belonging to your Indian identity that can help you play your part in this demo...

In the final episode for 2020, Mariyam and Sabika take a walk through the year to share their experience of working on Main Bhi Muslim, living through the fears, joys, challenges, and exhilaration. The artists share their biggest takeaways from MBM and what the new year brings for them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episod...

In this episode, Sabika and Mariyam approach Muharram and its significance in a unique way beyond its symbolism of community grieving. They discuss what Muharram means to them, and how would they bring someone into its fold. In essence, Muharram thus becomes an example of solidarity and allyship, through community gathering, coming together for a common cause, and finding meaning through its ritua...

In this episode, Mariyam and Sabika discuss the historical figure - Zainab bint Ali and her role in inspiring Muslim women leadership. The co-hosts share their understanding of how the Zainab-led storytelling movement resonates with the Shaheen Bagh protests. Listen to this episode to get a glimpse of Shi’a history and its striking similarities with contemporary civil and political movements. This...

This Independence Day, Mariyam and Sabika sit with Vandit from Lights Camera Azadi to discuss their relationship with freedom and the Constitution. From secularism and non-violence resistance; to solidarity and dissent as freedom of speech; the hosts share their journeys as Indians in contemporary times. A must listen, this hour-long conversation offers a sense of healing amid difficult times. Thi...

The Eid al Adha or Bakraeid special brings diverse voices from all walks of life share their understanding of the festival. This episode aims to help listeners enquire the cultural, religious and economic contexts of Eid, allowing reason to dispel myth and ignorance. Join Mariyam and Sabika learn and observe Bakraeid, better. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other s...

In this episode, Sabika is insistent on burning down all the stereotypes that she and Mariyam, have lived and often accepted as Muslims. Come, add all your cardboard cutout-like stereotypical caricatures to this हवन’s robust flame. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mainbhimuslim.com

In this episode, Mariyam takes a leaf out of her father’s lifelong friendship and narrates how it’s strained under the current political climate. She rummages through memories to shed light on their relationship and questions the cost of losing old friends over new politics. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ww...

This episode is a glimpse of Sabika’s journey in Mumbai, searching for the right flatmate, the right landlord and the right flat - a puzzle that never comes together. Amid all, she realises that her identity as a Muslim makes her invisible in every room, and there are more battles to fight than she is prepared for. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers...

This Eid, Main Bhi Muslim is bringing you a special Eid episode, where Mariyam brings her college friend, Aakriti who shares her experiences of fasting during Ramazan. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mainbhimuslim.com

In this episode, Mariyam shares the story of reclaiming her voice by acknowledging the fear of it. She goes down the memory lane to find roots of her voice as an Indian Muslim and ends up finding that courage and fear are closer than one thinks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mainbhimuslim.com

Beginning from this Ramzaan - two co-hosts have resolved to break their long-standing fast, the radio silence around their own Islamophobia - and reclaim their Indian Muslimness. Mariyam Raza Haider and Sabika Muzaffar will take turns telling tales where the personal becomes political. Today, Sabika is telling the story of how her name has been negotiated with, by others and by herself. This is a...