S2E7: Dr. Eman Abdelhadi: queer Muslim activist, academic, and artist
Explicit content warning
07/28/23 • 62 min
My guest today is Dr. Eman Abdelhadi, professor at the University of Chicago, author of a forthcoming academic book called Impossible Futures: Why Women Leave American Muslim Communities, as well as the co-author of a speculative fiction novel called Everything for Everyone. Eman is also the subject of a documentary called Coming Around that is now, if you’re listening to this at the end of July 2023, screening virtually at the OutFest film festival in Los Angeles.***Watch the virtual screening here until July30!***
The documentary portrays Eman’s relationship with her mother, a devout Palestinian Muslim woman who raised Eman and her siblings as a single mother in a small town in Missouri. The document is a nuanced portrayal of their deeply loving and complicated coming around to each other in spite of their differences.
In this conversation we talk about the documentary, Eman’s sociological work on Muslim American communities and what’s happening with the conversation in those spaces around queerness now, and about other places where the themes of family– blood, found, and otherwise– emerge.
Follow Eman on Instagram @eabdelhadiFollow Eman on Twitter @eabdelhadi
Find us!Website/Substack: http://www.queereverything.comYouTube: Queer Everything's channelSocials: Visit our LinkTree
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.queereverything.com
My guest today is Dr. Eman Abdelhadi, professor at the University of Chicago, author of a forthcoming academic book called Impossible Futures: Why Women Leave American Muslim Communities, as well as the co-author of a speculative fiction novel called Everything for Everyone. Eman is also the subject of a documentary called Coming Around that is now, if you’re listening to this at the end of July 2023, screening virtually at the OutFest film festival in Los Angeles.***Watch the virtual screening here until July30!***
The documentary portrays Eman’s relationship with her mother, a devout Palestinian Muslim woman who raised Eman and her siblings as a single mother in a small town in Missouri. The document is a nuanced portrayal of their deeply loving and complicated coming around to each other in spite of their differences.
In this conversation we talk about the documentary, Eman’s sociological work on Muslim American communities and what’s happening with the conversation in those spaces around queerness now, and about other places where the themes of family– blood, found, and otherwise– emerge.
Follow Eman on Instagram @eabdelhadiFollow Eman on Twitter @eabdelhadi
Find us!Website/Substack: http://www.queereverything.comYouTube: Queer Everything's channelSocials: Visit our LinkTree
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.queereverything.com
Previous Episode
S2E6: Lamya H, author of Hijab Butch Blues
A conversation with Lamya H, author of Hijab Butch Blues, which came out earlier this year. Lamya is South Asian and grew up in a wealthy Arab Gulf state. The book is a series of memoir essays drawn from their life, told alongside beautifully personal, queer readings of stories of the prophets from the Quran.
Find Layma on:Instagram @lamyaisangryTwitter @lamyaisangryOr at www.lamyah.comBuy their book!
Find us!Website/Substack: http://www.queereverything.comYouTube: Queer Everything's channelSocials: Visit our LinkTree
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.queereverything.com
Next Episode
S2E8: A queer Palestinian speaks out
I'm happy and also sad because of the circumstances to welcome back Ali for a conversation about what is happening Gaza right now. Ali previously spoke with us in Season 1 episodes 9 and 10, and shares his perspective as a queer, Muslim, Palestinian man.We recorded this episode on October 19, 12 days after the attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians, and 10 days into the displacement, civilian bombardment, and cutoff of electricity, food, water, and supplies to the people in Gaza.
Things we mentioned in the episode:La Tetlaa'i song (lyrics below, at end of list)
Safar Barkelt song (with lyrics here)
The (very handsome) Ali's IG profile: @feeding_seahorses27
Books to read about Palestinian resistance
Books to read about Palestine, continued
Films to watch about Palestine
Gaza awareness- accounts to follow
Gaza awareness- places to donate for humanitarian aid
Documentaries to watch on Palestine
La Tetlaa'i -- Ali's translation: "Don't leave your home, and the wind is from the west.Don't leave your home, and the wind is from the west.A country for travel, a country.Your spouse was a stranger, and they set my heart on fire.Your spouse was a stranger, and they set my heart on fire.A country for travel, a country.Don't leave your home, and the wind is from the north.Don't leave your home, and the wind is from the north.A country for travel, a country.Your spouse was strange, and occupied my thoughts.Your spouse was strange, and occupied my thoughts.A country for travel, a country.And yesterday, my friend, it was you and me.How's work, my companion, have you gotten married?A country for travel, a country.Oh, what a pity! Our neighbor's daughter hurt me, oh how!They dressed me in the shroud of death, yet I'm still alive.A country for travel, a country.Oh, traveler, take me with you at dawn I’ll eat any kind of breakfast.A country for travel, a country.I endure hunger, but I can't endure separation.A country for travel, a country.A country for travel, a country.A country for travel, a country.A country for travel, a country."(Wind in Arabic in this context can also mean passion)
Find us!Website/Substack: http://www.queereverything.comYouTube: Queer Everything's channelSocials: Visit our LinkTree
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.queereverything.com
Queer Everything - S2E7: Dr. Eman Abdelhadi: queer Muslim activist, academic, and artist
Transcript
My guest today is Dr. Eman Abdelhadi, professor at the University of Chicago, author of a forthcoming academic book called Impossible futures why Women leave American Muslim communities, as well as the coauthor of a speculative fiction novel called Everything for Everyone. Eman is also the subject of a documentary called Coming Around that is now, if you're listening to this at the end of July 2023, screening virtually at the Outfest Film Festival in Los Angeles. The
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