Yalla & Yap

Hosts Lena, Mariam, Manal, and Deanna unpack an Instagram controversy alleging that Khaled Beydoun received a significant cut from funds raised for Gaza through Human Appeal. They examine whether paid fundraising is ethical, what commissions and overhead typically look like in the nonprofit world, and why transparency with donors is the core issue. Drawing on firsthand nonprofit experience in Gaza...

Join Lena, Mariam and Deeana in this episode of Yalla and Yap, where they host Zeeshan Hafeez, a national candidate for Texas’ 33rd district.  Hafeez shares his journey into politics, which began in the wake of the 9/11 attacks while he was the only Muslim student at his liberal arts college and then reignited after October 7, 2023. Hafeez passionately speaks about his campaign’s commitment to add...

In this episode of Yalla & Yap, hosts Lena, Deanna, Mariam, and Manal tackle the controversial topic of the 'Trad Wife'. They delve into what it means to embrace traditional gender roles within marriage and family life, examining how this concept applies both within and outside the Muslim community.  00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic: The Traditional Wife 00:34 The Final Boss...

Welcome to Yalla & Yap! Join Lena, Manal, Deanna, and Mariam as they dive into a heated debate about the difficulties of being a stay-at-home mom versus a working mom. Discussing perspectives from a popular divorce lawyer, personal experiences, societal expectations, and cultural influences, the hosts explore what makes motherhood so challenging regardless of the path chosen. From managing tim...

In this episode, Lena, Mariam, and Deanna dive into a passionate and engaging discussion on the hotly debated topic of the Vela Hijab brand.  They explore its origins, the challenges of being a hijabi in America, and the market landscape for hijab brands. The trio shares personal hijab experiences, discusses the evolution of hijab fashion, and addresses the backlash against Vela.  They also touch...

Join Lena, Manal, Deanna, and Mariam as they discuss social and political issues, particularly the recognition of Palestine as a state and shifting global opinions about it. Celebrities' support for Palestine, the influence of political figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the strategies of American Muslims in engaging with political movements are also covered.  The hosts highlight the im...

In this episode of Yalla & Yap, Lena, Deanna, and Manal discuss a variety of pressing issues in today's world, including the recent flooding in Texas, ongoing crises in Gaza, and the evolving political landscape in the U.S. They delve into the implications of Zoran Mamdani's political success, the establishment's response to his candidacy, and the intersection of faith, identity...

Lena, Mariam, Manal, and Deanna get into the latest hodgepodge of Middle Eastern news, highlighted by President Trump's recent visit to Abu Dhabi and the grand mosque, marking his first known visit to a Muslim house of worship. They discuss the intricacies of Trump's tour during his second term, including reactions to a controversial $400 million Boeing jet gift from Qatar, as well as hi...

In this episode of Yalla & Yap, Lena, Manal, and Deanna are joined by special guest Abdullah Khatib to discuss the significance of the Epic City Project and the importance of political engagement within the Muslim community.  Reflecting on responses from their previous episode about Epic City, the hosts explore varying community perspectives, including concerns about segregation and the projec...

We are back with Season 2!  In this episode of Yalla & Yap -  Lena, Mariam, Manal, and Deanna dive deep into the topic of Epic City, a proposed master-planned Muslim community in the DFW area, which has faced significant backlash and investigation from Texas officials. The hosts explore the motivations behind Epic City, the current climate of Islamophobia, and the broader implications for Musl...

Hulu's Muslim Matchmaker is now streaming! Join Lena, Mariam, Manal, and Deanna as they take on the show - sharing their thoughts, discuss, agreeing and definitely disagreeing. And yes, there will be spoilers! 00:00 Introduction and Initial Reactions 01:13 Diverse Perspectives on Reality TV 01:46 Comparisons with Indian Matchmaking 02:40 Matchmaking Costs and Community Reactions 05:47 The Mat...

Exploring 'Mo': A Groundbreaking Palestinian-American Show In this episode of Yalla and Yap, Lena, Mariam, Deanna, and Manal discuss the remarkable impact of the show 'Mo', which centers around a Palestinian American family. The hosts highlight the show's cultural relevance, authenticity, and how it addresses important issues including statelessness, Palestinian diaspora e...

Recorded on January 23, 2025 Join Lena, Mariam, and Deanna in the first week of Making America Great Again, as they dive into the changes on social media with the new administration, explore the complexities of birthright citizenship, and discuss its potential impacts on Arab-Americans. They debate Trump's interpretation of the 14th Amendment, Palestinian statehood challenges, U.S. imperialis...

Join Lena, Manal, and Deanna as they discuss the latest developments in Gaza, including the recent ceasefire and President Biden's farewell speech. They analyze the reactions on social media, particularly the backlash against Mahdi Hassan, and delve into the complex political landscape as Trump prepares for his upcoming inauguration. The episode covers a range of topics including the role of...

First Episode of 2025: Reactions to New Orleans Attack & Reflections on Mass Shootings In this first episode of 2025, Lena, Mariam, and Deanna discuss the tragic New Year's attack in New Orleans, which resulted in the deaths of 14 people and injuries to over 35. The group delves into the background of the suspect, Shamsuddin Jabbar, and explores various perspectives on mass shootings, the...

In this episode of Yallah & Yap, Lena, Mariam, Manal, and Deanna dive into a lively discussion about the roles of stay-at-home moms versus working moms. The conversation touches on societal expectations, the importance of being present in your children's lives, and balancing personal fulfillment with family responsibilities. The group debates the pros and cons of each role, shares persona...

In this episode of Yalla & Yap, hosts Lena, Mariam, Manal, and Deanna discuss their personal journeys with social media and their varied perspectives on the role of Muslim influencers today.  From the early days of platforms like AOL Instant Messenger to the rise of influencers on Instagram and TikTok, they delve into the ways social media has shaped and influenced their lives. They explore th...

On November 5th, 2024, the American people elected Donald J. Trump, again, to be our 47th president of the United States of America. Trump pulled off what is considered a historic comeback that's never been seen before. We at Yalla & Yap predicted the outcome. The crushing defeat of the Democrats surprised almost everyone. He won all the swing states, all the battleground states. The enti...

Yalla & Yap and Eddie Espinoza, the Green Party candidate for TX railroad commissioner, met at Arwa Yemeni coffee shop for a meet and greet pop-up event. Hot topics were the war on Gaza and climate change and how your vote matters! https://arwayemenicoffee.com https://www.espinoza4tx.com/

Arab American and Muslim voters are now facing a unique and moral dilemma. We know that we have to be part of the political process, but many of us believe that we have very few good options. So, where do we fall? And more importantly, what do we do? And does our vote even count?