Favorite Ramadan Podcast Episodes
So, it occurred to me that it would be a great idea to make a list of some of my favorite podcast episodes to listen to this Ramadan. Like last year, most of us are celebrating this Ramadan home and without the usual gatherings for Iftar or prayers. I for one, feel the loneliest in Ramadan being in the US and away from my family, and with Covid lockdowns, things have been even harder and I won’t lie, it sucks. So anything that reminds me of Ramadan at home among family and friends, any special meals, shows, music are my refuge to try to recreate some of the joy and special atmosphere that only those who spent time in the Middle East or among Muslim communities can relate to. So without further ado here's a list of some of my favorite listens (in Arabic and English) this Ramadan to help bring some sense of familiarity and maybe peace and connectedness. Some of those suggested listens are more to do with the tradition and rituals of Ramadan, others are interesting episodes from Muslim creators that I listened to while preparing eftar. I will keep adding to the list until the end of Ramadan:
From the Sowt Podcast Network, the show Dom Tak has plenty of beautiful Ramadan Specials. I chose this new episode that talks about the tradition of inshad in Damascus, Syria, and a well-known local trio.
2. Another one from Dom Tak's 2020 Ramadan specials, an episode about the renowned Egyptian performance artist Sherihan. Sherihan for Arab kids of the 80s and 90's is a marvel!!! How can a Ramadan pass without tuning in to her fawazeer show where she sings, dances and performs what ends up being a riddle… Arab viewers at home used to watch the episode and mail their answers. I truly wish this episode was longer.
And now to something in English: 3. Tell them, I am is a show by producer Misha Euceph and does a beautiful job in presenting these personal stories from Muslim guests of different backgrounds in what feels like an easy and yet captivating style. I liked the episode with Uyghur young woman Jewher Ilham.
4. Ok so, this one is slightly a different type of show that I randomly came across it while looking for Muslim and Arab content in English. I thought it's a really important conversation as Ramadan is not only a time of rich cultural traditions but also a time for worship and religious traditions, and what a better time to deepen our understanding of Islam as also a message for social justice, this episode from the "Diaspora Disorientate" does a great job in engaging with that question and more:
5. A sweet episode from "Aal Osoul" from the Kerning Cultures network, teaching us about Ramadan in Somalia (in Arabic). The show features short episodes, each with a focus on a different region or country and the Ramadan traditions and cultural practices from that part of the Arab world. If you like this one check out more from this podcast.
6. What's Ramadan without musalsalat? This may resonate more to those of you Arabic speakers and those into Arab drama.. Every year dozens of brand new shows and TV dramas are released for the month of Ramadan, yes, Ramadan is suposed to be the month of worship and sharing meals but in the Arab world it is also THE month for entertainment. This year is no different despite the pandemic we saw a huge number of new series, especially from Egypt. This episode from the podcast "the cinematology podcast” reviews the top shows to watch in Ramadan 2021 and for sure you will still have a lot to catch up on when Ramadan is over too.
