Podcast Review: The Western Muslim
Channel Title: The Western Muslim Podcast
Summary: A new podcast aimed at the modern day Muslim living in the West (can also be translated as “North America”).
Creator/Host: The Western Muslim
Supplied Info: The Western Muslim is a cutting edge online magazine, addressing contemporary issues facing North American Muslim communities and Muslims around the world. The magazine examines the weaving of the Muslim diaspora into the fabric of North American society through the lenses of politics, law, culture, religion, the arts and more.
Last Podcast (title, date, info): The Great Divide, 16/06/2008, Mosques have traditionally maintained segre[g]ated sections for men and women in a variety of forms; separate entrances, different floors, curtained prayer areas. But there’s more to a mosque than just prayer - and separating women from the action on the floor - from the discussion of religious philosophy or even the mosques politics takes away women’s ablity to meaningfully participate in the functioning of their communities. Asma Mukthar, Sachli Zare, Faraz Khan, Anam Majid and Imran Mohiuddin discuss this issue.
Overall Review: Being a new podcast, there were only two episodes to choose from for my review. The first held promise, as it was an interview with the talented nasheed artist, Dawud Wharnsby. However, the poor sound quality that dominated bro Wharnsby’s side of the conversation (I think it was a phone interview) forced me to hit the “pause” button on my mp3 player out of severe frustration. It was impossible for me to make out what he was saying while listening to the episode on headphones, though it was a lot more decipherable played back on computer speakers. Not a good start, I’m afraid.
However, the second episode mentioned above did a nice job at redeeming the reputation of this podcast, masha’Allah. The sound quality was good, but the debate was even better. I don’t actually recognise any of the names (or voices) of the guest speakers, though a quick look around the website suggests that at least two members were writers from the magazine.
The debate in question is an old one - especially when you consider that the second Caliph, Umar, (may Allah be pleased with him) was the first to prevent women from attending the masjid way back when. So with that in mind, don’t expect any new insights. However, what I enjoyed most was the variety of opinions that were represented as the podcast unfolded - some would be labelled as more “traditional” and others as more “progressive” - but all of them emanated from what seemed like an articulate bunch of young Muslims living in the West, masha’Allah. It just serves as yet another reminder that we’re not the monolith of thought that some would like to portray us as. I won’t spoil the ending, and will leave you guys to make up your own mind on the conclusions derived from the discussion.
One side note I’d like to make as a general remark on these kinds of debates: it’s all very well the youth sitting around and arguing about such issues, but I can’t help thinking that no real progress will be achieved within our communities until we enter a real, and above all, respectful dialogue with our elders, who are often the ones pulling the strings of masjid politics (however much we hate that term). How wonderful, and potentially enlightening, would it have been to have had a similar discussion as above, but with one or two ‘uncles’ and/or ‘aunties’ thrown into the mix? I understand the need for the youth (of which I am hopefully still a part) to have their own space, where we are free to discuss matters openly without judgement. But IMO, restricting such conversation to one segment of society, thereby excluding the other, only fuels existing tensions - and at the least, don’t the ‘other side’ deserve a chance to explain why it is they do what they do? Otherwise we are in danger of perpetuating the negative stereotype that all masjid committees run by elders are ‘backward’, culture-dominated entities, bent on repressing change, and oppressing women. Perhaps that is something for the organisers of such debates to take into account for future activities, insha’Allah. [/rant]
Recommended audience: I think the title says it all really: The Western Muslim. Though one must recognise that as none of the opinions offered are necessarily backed up by the ulema, this is more a podcast for those interested in social commentary, rather than those seeking knowledge of Islam itself.
Score: 7/10 (could have been an 8, but the poor sound quality of the first podcast brought the score down)
Update: The transcript of the Dawud Wharnsby interview can be found on the Western Muslim website.
Bro, do you mind putting a direct link to that actual feed site so people can easily add it to their podcast service?
I know sometimes the sites don’t work like that like, the Radical Middle Way one, but in those cases can you just make a little note in parentheses stating that it doesn’t have an RSS/atom feed thing. It’s really annoying to have to search for the podcast link on a website - which is a good marketing lesson and web design lesson for all of you tech savvy muslims - have BIG, CLEAR, and VISIBLE, links to the most important parts of your site, its more important than how it looks!!!
JAK
Salaam!
One more thing, I just listened to the podcast and uh….well…with all the love in my heart for the brothers/sisters in The Western Muslim, I have to ask:
What’s up with the jazz music in the background? Was Ray Charles a muslim too?:D
Bro Usman… all the podcasts I have reviewed so far are available to download from the iTunes directory.
However, not everyone uses iTunes, so I will def take your advice and include the feed links in future reviews, insha’Allah. When I have time, I’ll update the existing entries too, insha’Allah.
Jazakallah for taking the time to comment!
Oh and about the jazz… I completely forgot to mention that, haha. It was a little crazy.
I listened to the episodes of the western Muslim Podcast and they were both pretty good mashaAllah.
Of course the technical problems take time to fix. Trust me…I know!
I have been doing a Pop-Culture Style Islamic Podcast.
Please check it out.
http:www.HotConflict.com
Jun 28th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
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