Zahra Billoo joins Safi Bros for a powerful conversation about growing up Muslim in America after 9/11, hijab, civil-rights advocacy, Muslim women’s leadership, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, mosque culture, workplace discrimination, Quran education and the emotional weight of defending the community.
This episode explores how Zahra turned fear into action, why Muslim women are often asked to do the work without being given the title, anti-Sharia fear campaigns, and the responsibility that comes with access and safety.
Guest bio
Zahra Billoo is a Muslim civil-rights lawyer, organizer and executive director working on Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism and community advocacy in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Watch the YouTube episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4d8hvGXdLU
Listen on RSS.com: https://rss.com/podcasts/safibros/3274015
Chapters
- 00:00 – Welcome and introducing Zahra Billoo
- 01:06 – Being 17 after 9/11
- 03:38 – Outrage, citizenship and responsibility
- 05:28 – Faith, justice and learning to speak out
- 08:13 – Muslim women without enough role models
- 09:41 – MSA leadership and being told to lead from behind
- 12:37 – FBI visits and Know Your Rights work
- 16:28 – Anti-Sharia laws and fear campaigns
- 35:13 – Workplace hijab discrimination case
- 48:36 – Quran memorisation and gendered barriers
- 58:36 – Sami’s detention and visiting as lawyers
- 65:02 – Closing duas and final reflections