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 on broader themes like consumerism, community support, and maintaining modesty while na...

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 importance of unlearning propaganda and recognizing the humanity and rights of oppressed population...

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, and politics. The conversation also touches on the American media's treatment of Israel, the rise of independe...

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 his negotiations and diplomatic efforts in the region. The conversation also touches on the complex relations...

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 project's financial implications. Abdullah, a local Muslim community organizer and political activ...

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 Muslim communities in America. They also touch on personal experiences of maintaining Musli...

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 Matchmakers: Yasmeen and Huda 11:18 Analyzing the Matches 14:59 Cultural and Religious Considerations 2...

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 experiences, and cultural appropriation. With personal anecdotes and reflections, they explore the show's immense success, ...

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. imperialism, and the global refugee crisis. The hosts also touch upon sensationalized media, TikTok censorship, ...

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 various actors in the Gaza situation, the influence of online activism, and the ongoing challenges fac...

First Episode of 2025: Reactions to New Orleans Attack & Reflections on Mass ShootingsIn 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 impact on veterans, and the societal reactions to such incidents. They also reflect on the Muslim-Amer...

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 personal experiences, and highlights the necessity of having supportive spouses. Key themes include pa...

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 the responsibilities of influencers, particularly hijabi influencers, and the balance between c...

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 entire country has essentially shifted to the right. What does that mean for us, Arab American Muslims?

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.comhttps://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?