Ep. 4: Are We Going to Be OK? Faith, fasting, and community-building during a pandemic
For interfaith leader and Harvard grad Aneelah Afzali, the coinciding of Covid-19 and Ramadan brings unexpected opportunities and challenges.
How do our convictions serve or hold us back during times of crisis? What can the holy month of Ramadan teach Muslims and non-Muslims about resilience during a pandemic? Who—if not Instagram influencers—really invented intermittent fasting?
In this hour, KUOW's Are We Going to Be OK? explores interfaith community-building, compassion, and activism with scholar and interfaith leader Aneelah Afzali.
Aneelah Afzali is the Executive Director of MAPS-AMEN (American Muslim Empowerment Network). She is also a Board Member of the Faith Action Network and the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Aneelah left her legal career in 2013 after a spiritual transformation. Since then, she has served as a community activist, interfaith leader, and justice advocate, working to build bridges of understanding and unity. During the COVID-19 crisis, Aneelah is helping county and state officials communicate public health orders and guidance to faith communities, while her mosque has stepped up to serve and support all in need.
To check out all of our Are We Going to Be OK? episodes, visit our series page at KUOW.org/OK.
Our Are We Going to Be OK? hosts are Jeannie Yandel and Zaki Hamid. This show is produced by Kristin Leong. Our events team is Charlotte Duren and Bridget Anderson. The show's graphics designer and tech guru is Teo Popescu. Our marketing manager is Michaela Gionnatti and our social media strategist is Juan Pablo Chiqiza.
This episode of Are We Going to Be OK? originally aired live on Facebook and YouTube on Thursday, April 30, 2020, just after the start of Ramadan. This web story was originally published on June 25, 2020.
