PODCAST · arts
The Halal Gap
by Mosquers Film Festival
Welcome to The Halal Gap - an open discussion with creative individuals highlighting the wealth of talent and diverse voices of Muslims from around the world.
Episodes
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Episode 52 - Opening Credits 2023 Panel
On this edition of The Halal Gap, we bring you a very special episode: the panel discussion from our 2nd annual ‘Opening Credits’ event on October 13th, 2023. For the 2nd year in a row, the Mosquers Film Festival was kicked off with ‘Opening Credits’, an event where 300 Muslim creatives and...
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Episode 51 - Imran J. Khan
Imran J. Khan joins us from LA! Imran talks to Sikandar and Sofia about his new feature film “Mustache,” a story about a 13 year old Pakistani American boy who struggles to accept himself after transferring from Islamic school to public school in the late 1990’s. Imran talks about authentically...
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Episode 50 - Hassan Phills
Hassan Phills joins us live in Edmonton! Hassan talks to Sikandar about quitting basketball before his senior year to go all-in on comedy, the moment he realized Drake was following him on Instagram, and how he finessed his way into opening for Hasan Minhaj. Plus, we talk his early comedy...
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Episode 49 - Amal Dalmar
Amal Dalmar joins us from SoCal! Amal talks to Sofia about how she went from completing the thesis for her Masters in Law to working for BuzzFeed as a creative producer in a matter of a few days! We also get into “Dinner, Inshallah?”, the USHUB original docu-series she hosted which highlights...
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Episode 48 - Just Moe
Mohamed Ahmed aka Just Moe joins us live and in person in Edmonton! Moe chats with Sikandar about trying to connect to the work of his grandfather, famous Sudani poet Ismail Hassan. Then, Moe sheds light on his experience at theatre school, including some questionable casting decisions. We get…
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Episode 47 - Simrah Farrukh
Photographer Simrah Farrukh joins us from the Bay Area! Simrah chats with Sikandar and Sofia about her exhibit ‘The Brown Gaze’, shooting Never Have I Ever’s Maitreyi Ramakrishnan for Netflix, and how Pakistani poetry influences her photography. Simrah also discusses taking a step back from...
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Episode 46 - Kashif Pasta
Kashif Pasta joins us from Seattle! Kashif chats with Sikandar and Sofia about his early beginnings in film and his STORYHIVE series “Welcome to Surrey”. We get into Desirée Dawson’s “Meet You At The Light” music video, produced by Kashif’s company Dunya Media, which picked up multiple awards at...
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Episode 45 - WatchWithNeebz
Content creator and host of the Salaam Nerds podcast WatchWithNeebz joins us from New Jersey! Neebz tells us about his first time at Comic Con and being suspected of murder. Neebz talks about The Bachelor & The Bachelorette and why it’s important for diverse voices to be part of the conversation…
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Episode 44 - Yazmeen Kanji
Yazmeen Kanji joins us from Toronto! Yazmeen talks to Sikandar and Sofia about her early interest in advocacy, starting in the 5th grade. Yazmeen talks about her influences in film and entertainment and growing up with Bollywood and Disney shows like Cheetah Girls and That’s So Raven. After…
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Episode 43 - Alex Kronemer
Alex Kronemer, co-founder of Unity Production Foundation, joins us on The Halal Gap from DC! Alex talks to Sofia and Sikandar about his early life in Pennsylvania as well as his 10 year career in government, which included a stint working for Al Gore’s Reinventing Government team. Alex talks…
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Episode 42 - Cadar Mohamud (The Digital Sisterhood)
The Halal Gap is back for Season 4! To kick things off, your co-hosts Sikandar Atiq and Sofia Alani chat with Cadar Mohamud, the founder of The Digital Sisterhood podcast and storytelling platform. Cadar talks about growing up in Toronto, passing Joe Rogan on the charts, how she’s helping Muslims...
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Season 4 | Teaser
The Halal Gap is back! Join Sikandar Atiq and Sofia Alani as they chat with Muslims making their mark in film, entertainment, and culture from all over the world.
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Episode 41 - Opening Credits Panel
We conclude Season 3 of The Halal Gap with a very special episode: the recording of the panel discussion from Opening Credits, the kick-off to our festival weekend, on March 11, 2022. With over 250 artists and representatives from organizations and platforms in attendance, this event marked the...
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Episode 40 - fajjr+ali
Best friends turned pop duo fajjr+ali join us today on The Halal Gap! They chat with Sofia and Sikandar about their backgrounds in theatre, the challenges that come with being Muslims making pop music, and people assuming they’re married. Fresh off the release of their new single, “I’m Fine”…
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Episode 39 - Karim Jabbari
Revolutionary calligrapher and artist Karim Jabbari joins us from Milwaukee! Karim talks to Sofia and Sikandar about his connection with calligraphy, living under surveillance in Tunisia while his father was a political prisoner, his career as a championship winning University basketball player,...
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Episode 38 - Serena Rasoul
Serena Rasoul, actress, writer, and founder of Muslim Casting joins us from DC! Serena talks about how to tell your parents you want to be an actor, practical advice on pursuing your dreams, the creation of Muslim Casting, and the incredible work she’s doing to help Muslims break into the…
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Episode 37 - Zainab Johnson
Zainab Johnson, stand-up comedian, host of Netflix’s “100 Humans”, and Aleesha on Amazon Prime’s “Upload”, joins us from LA! Zainab chats with Sofia about growing up in Brooklyn as one of 13 siblings, her recent meeting and conversation with Dave Chapelle, why she was nervous before going on…
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Episode 36 - Arij Mikati
Arij Mikati, Managing Director of Culture Change at Pillars Fund, joins us from Chicago! Arij talks about the recent Pillars Fund study with USC titled “Missing and Maligned” which analyzes Muslim representation in Hollywood. She also talks about the Pillars Artist Fellowship, and how the...
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Episode 35 - Aqsa Altaf
Aqsa Altaf, director of the Disney+ short “American Eid”, joins us from LA! She talks to Sikandar and Sofia about growing up in a migrant community in Kuwait and becoming the breadwinner of her family at the age of 18. Aqsa also discusses moving to the US, her short film “One Small Step”, working...
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Episode 34 - Shahjehan Khan
Shahjehan Khan, co-founder of The Kominas and the host of the “King of the World” podcast, joins us from Boston! Shahj opens up about his early life and struggles with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. He also discusses the beginning of The Kominas and their early notoriety, meeting Riz...
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Episode 33 - Abdullah Saeed
Cannabis journalist and screenwriter Abdullah Saeed, of VICE’s Bong Appetit and HBO’s High Maintenance, joins the pod. Abdullah chats with Sofia and Sikandar about how he hooked up with Muslim punk group The Kominas, his column Weediquette, travelling to Nepal to film Mad Honey, the history of...
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Episode 32 - Latif Nasser
Latif Nasser, the host of WNYC’s Radiolab and Netflix’s “Connected”, joins The Halal Gap today! Latif talks about studying theatre at Dartmouth in hopes of becoming a playwright, getting his PhD at Harvard, what drew him into podcasting, as well as “The Other Latif” and Abdul Latif Nasser’s…
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Episode 31 - Danish Maqbool
Professional gamer turned stand-up comedian Danish Maqbool drops in on The Halal Gap to chat with Sikandar about his unconventional journey. Tune in to hear DMaq talk about finally moving out of his moms basement, why he left gaming right before the boom, roasting people on Clubhouse, and the...
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Episode 30 - Aadil Abedi
Artist and painter Aadil Abedi joins The Halal Gap to chat with Sofia and Sikandar. Listen in to hear about his move to India to chase his Bollywood dreams, how he turned painting from a hobby to a career, creating Islamic art, and his favorite Madhuri Dixit movie(s). The Halal Gap is a Mosquers...
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Episode 29 - illMuslims
illMuslims co-founders Rummi Khan and Sadaf Javaid join hosts Sofia and Sikandar on this edition of The Halal Gap. Tune in to hear Rummi and Sadaf discuss the growth of illMuslims, their definition of community, the genesis behind “Wallah She’s Funny,” and much more!
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Episode 28 - Daniel Malik
Pakistani-Canadian actor and model Daniel Malik joins Sofia and Sikandar on this edition of The Halal Gap. Daniel joins us to discuss his journey from modelling to acting, identity, surviving the year that was 2020, and where to find the best donut.
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Episode 27 - Shehroze Khan
Today on The Halal Gap: Filmmaker Shehroze Khan joins hosts Sofia and Sikandar to discuss how to make it in the film industry without going to film school, why he turned down an offer to work on a Netflix show, and navigating the film industry as a Muslim. Shehroze also discusses his new short…
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Free Palestine
Today on a special episode of The Halal Gap, hosts Sofia and Sikandar are joined by Mousa Qasqas. Mousa is an Edmonton based human rights activist focused on the Palestinian community and has served in various positions with the Canada Palestine Cultural Association, most recently as their Vice...
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Episode 26 - Iman Zawahry
Filmmaker and professor Iman Zawahry chats with Sikandar and Sofia this week on The Halal Gap. We touch on everything from her side gig as a Zumba instructor, how she got into teaching film, and her debut feature film “American-ish” - the first romantic comedy by Muslim women, for Muslim women.
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Episode 25 - Kayem
This week on The Halal Gap, Sikandar and Sofia are joined by Libyan-American hip-hop artist and activist Kayem. Tune in as Kayem discusses being placed on the No Fly List, returning to his home country of Libya, and the weirdest topics he’s seen on Clubhouse so far.
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Episode 24 - Emmen Ahmed
Join hosts Sikandar and Sofia as they chat with visual artist Emmen Ahmed, more commonly known as @emmenjaan. Emmen talks to us about everything from using art as therapy, having her work recognized by the likes of Hasan Minhaj, and Harry Potter.
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Episode 23 - Amir Sulaiman
This week, Sofia and Sikandar are joined by Amir Sulaiman, where they talk poetry and short films.
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Episode 22 - Ahamed Weinberg
This week, Sofia and Sikandar get comfy with Ahamed Weinberg - and we mean really comfy. Catch the final episode of season 2 of the Halal Gap now.
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Episode 21 - Sue Obeidi
This week on the podcast Sofia and Sikandar had a chance to speak with Sue Obeidi - the director of Muslim Public Affairs Council, Hollywood Bureau, to discuss the nitty gritty of advocacy and the landscape of Muslim representation in media.
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Episode 20 - Omar Regan
Joining us all the way from London, this week's guest is none other than the host of the 2018 Mosquers Film Festival - Omar Regan! Sofia and Sikandar had the opportunity to catch up with the actor, comedian, and musician to dive into his journey and find out what he's been up to across the Pond.
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Episode 19 - Misha Euceph
Podcasters, unite! This week Sofia and Sikandar chat with Podcasting Powerhouse Misha Euceph to discuss all of the incredible things she is doing, and all the sleep she is missing out on.
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Episode 18 - Qashus
This week, Sofia and Sikandar sat down with one of the co-founders and hosts of Edmonton's own 2nd Floor Podcast, Qashus to discuss hustling towards fulfilling a dream, getting into a mindset for success, and what it takes to be a self-starter.
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Episode 17 - Ismael Loutfi
This week, catch comedian, writer, and actor Ismael Loutfi as he takes Sofia and Sikandar through the worst part of the apocalypse, the process behind Patriot Act, dissecting the comedy scene, and some talk about mustaches and russet potatoes.
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Episode 16 - Hamza Haq
This week on the Halal Gap, join Sofia and Sikandar as they chat with Hamza Haq - star of the most-watched Canadian series this year, CTV's "Transplant"!
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Episode 15 - Feraz Shere
We're back! This week, Sofia and Sikandar chat with comedian Feraz Shere to talk celebrity impersonations, grinding on (financial) models, and cracking the WhatsApp Aunty Circuit.
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Black Lives Matter.
As an organization, we have always been focused on sharing Muslim stories. A story that is not heard enough, but told too often, is the story of how our Black brothers and sisters are treated in our society. There are injustices taking place that need to be addressed. In this episode, hosts Sofia...
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Episode 14 - Tasneem
The latest episode of the Halal Gap is here, and this week featured guest Tasneem joins the show to break down her experiences in the music scene.
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Episode 13 - Salma Hindy
On the latest episode of the Halal Gap, find Sofia and Sikandar as they catch up with Salma Hindy - a Toronto-based Comedian and the incredible host of the 2019 Mosquers Film Festival!
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Episode 12 - Adeel Alam (Mustafa Ali)
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, joining Sofia and Sikandar this week: A WWE Superstar and the first openly Muslim character in WWE history as Mustafa Ali, the one, the only, Adeel Alam!
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Episode 11 - Saagar Shaikh
This week, catch Shaikh's Hot Takes as Sofia and Sikandar talk acting, collaboration, and improv with Saagar Shaikh!
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Episode 10 - Waseem Stark
On this episode of the Halal Gap, Sofia and Sikandar talk music production, family time, and juggling multiple personas with the one and only Waseem Stark!
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Episode 9 - Omar Farah
On this week's episode, Sofia and Sikandar are joined by Omar Farah, a Somali-Canadian poet and community builder from Edmonton, Canada.
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Episode 8 - Maaz Ali
This week on the Halal Gap, Sofia and Sikandar hop on the phone with Maaz Ali, an Indian-Pakistani-American actor in LA who has trained at the renowned Beverly Hills Playhouse and the Upright Citizens Brigade.
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Episode 7 - Sahar Jahani
We're back! Kicking off season 2 of The Halal Gap, all the way from social isolation Sofia and Sikandar are joined by accomplished writer and director, Sahar Jahani! Sahar's incredibly impressive resume includes script development at YouTube Originals, being a writer on the Golden Globe winning...
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Teaser - Season 2
The Halal Gap returns with hosts Sofia Alani and Sikandar Atiq for an exciting new season featuring creatives from around the world. Tune in weekly as Sofia and Sikandar have open and candid conversations with individuals from a variety of disciplines, discussing their journeys, goals, and...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Halal Gap have?
The Halal Gap currently has 57 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Halal Gap about?
Welcome to The Halal Gap - an open discussion with creative individuals highlighting the wealth of talent and diverse voices of Muslims from around the world.
How often does The Halal Gap release new episodes?
The Halal Gap has 57 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Halal Gap?
You can listen to The Halal Gap on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Halal Gap?
The Halal Gap is created and hosted by Mosquers Film Festival.
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